Wine

The Stanford Cheese & Wine Festival 2021

Stanford Cheese & Wine Festival – 2021

The Stanford Cheese and Wine Festival is a collaboration of hearts and minds, in a celebration of local food, world-class wines, and artisan cheesemaking. The inaugural festival was held at Walker Bay Estate & Birkenhead Brewery earlier this month and was a major success. Outselling our predicted webticket numbers on door sales by double.

With a melting pot of local suppliers showcasing their wares and set at the beautiful Walker Bay Estate, guests feasted on some of South Africa’s award-winning cheese and wines from the area.

For a small entrance fee via webtickets.co.za with snapscan and yoco payment points available at the food, cheese and wine stall guests were able to fill their complementary glass to sip and savour the top Overberg wines. Not only that, but load gift bag with a range of mouth-watering artisan fare for a true countryside farm to fork experience.

The day was designed for both friend and family connections and a host of festivities which include toe-tapping to tunes from local musicians and DJ’s, where guests picked their spot on expanse of rolling lawns to settle down with their selection of food, while the kids enjoyed a variety of activities and outdoor play. Guests could even take a seat at the newly revamped, airy Walker Bay Restaurant for a sit-down dining experience. The choices were endless.

The event was designed to enjoy the best of local in a safe, outdoor space and at the same time, connect to country life, right here, in Stanford.

Event details were as follows for 2021 inaugural event:

Date: Saturday 5 June 2021

Venue: Walker Bay Estate & Birkenhead Brewery

Time: 10am – 6pm

Tickets were available on www.webtickets.co.za

Winter Line-Up

Well, that was an interesting last six month was it not? Thank goodness our tourism leisure travel business sector is starting to open up again both around the country but more specifically around the fabulous venues of Stanford Village and surrounds.

Hands up who is excited to finally be able to travel and book accommodation for leisure again as per latest level 3 intra-provincial travel permissions?

Winter is the ideal time to plan a getaway to Stanford and surrounds as a jewel nestled within the Cape Whale Coast. A mere 1.5h drive from the bustling city centre of Cape Town. Think crisp days spent hiking, strolling, or cycling fynbos flowering mountain ranges, whale watching our ocean swells at local whale watching spots or booking a river activity such as paddling or riverside picnicking. Our local restaurants will fill your tummies and are stocked up on non-alcoholic drinks since on-consumption sale of alcohol is still not permitted. Of course there is always the option of just curling up in some cosy local accommodation nook with a good book and an evening beside a warm fire. Only thing missing might be a glass or two from one of our local estates along the Stanford Wine Route.

If your cellar is in need of stocking up after several months of lockdown however, then the we’re happy to inform you that our wine route is open for orders and tasting. Wine Route details here. Snap up the chance to take advantage of some current local special offers and exclusive releases available for order right now.

The Stanford Wine Route Includes

Boschrivier Wines – R326: Contact drnjtdevilliers@mweb.co.za or visit www.boschrivierwines.co.za/
Misty Mountain Wine Estate – R43: Contact info@mistymountains.co.za or visit https://www.mistymountains.co.za/
Raka Wine Estate – R326: Contact info@rakawine.co.z or visit www.rakashop.co.za
Sir Robert Stanford Estate – R43/Old Akkedisberg Road: Contact info@robertstanford.co.za or visit www.robertstanfordestate.co.za/
Springfontein Wine Estate – Wortelgat Road: Contact info@springfontein.co.za or visit https://www.springfontein.co.za
Stanford Hills – Old Akkedisberg Road: Contact cellar@stanfordhills.co.za or 072 603 3521 or www.stanfordhills.co.za/
Vaalvlei Wines – Papiesvlei Road: Contact info@vaalvlei.co.za or visit www.vaalvlei.co.za/
Walker Bay Estate and Birkenhead Brewery – R326: Contact admin@birkenhead.co.za or 028 341 0183 or visit www.walkerbayestate.com or www.walkerbayestate.com/birkenheadbrewery
Welgesind Wine Estate – Old Akkedisberg Road: Contact Chris 082 572 5856 or Amanda @ 082 536 0062

There is so much to enjoy, both indoors and outdoors, at this time of year, that it may be worth putting aside the entire weekend … or perhaps even an additional day either side to make the most of the visit and fit in as much as possible.

Any assistance with what’s open and where to stay, our Stanford Tourism Office is always available to assist.

For collection or delivery?

Due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, Stanford’s selection of fabulous restaurants have only been able to either home deliver your meal order, or, more recently, make your take-away order available for collection. And the senses cannot but be tempted with the delights and variations of fresh produce meals on offer. Not only that, Stanford’s gorgeous cool climate wine route has been littered with specials …

Table 13 – Pizza Delivery/Take-Aways – 082 344 7012

Jolly Rooster – Delivery/Take-Aways PLUS spirit range on days/times permitted – 076 320 3092

Mosaic Lagoon Lodge – Family size meal deliveries – 072 172 9545

Zesty Lemon – Delivery/Take-Aways – 082 405 1280

 

Misty Mountains Estate – Pizza Take-Aways PLUS gin and wine range on days/times permitted – info@mistymountains.co.za or 082 973 5943

Madre’s Restaurant – early morning coffee and other delicious treat take-aways from the restaurant stoep – 082 901 4254

Ou Meul – Take-Away Bootlegger Coffees, baked breads and other favourites – stanford@oumeul.co.za or 028 341 0101

Stanford Valley Farm Manor House Restaurant – Take-Away contemporary country meal, or make yourself at home anywhere on our 480-hectare farm for lunch with a view – info@stanfordvalley.co.za or 072 198 0862

The Tasting Room, Stanford Hills Estate – Take-Away morning coffee and breakfast and lunch menu including door to door flower delivery – 072 603 3521

Martin’s Deli – Martin’s Deli on the R43, Stanford remained open during lock-down as an essential food supplier offering Stanford locals ongoing supply of their favourite deli meats, spices, nuts, seeds and fresh produce, flowers and more from surrounding farm producers – 028 341 0337

Klein River Cheese – You can now order Klein River Cheese online for national delivery! www.kleinrivercheese.co.za or 028 341 0693

Food4Thought Community Project – Deliveries of Fresh Produce Boxes – 072 866 8685

 

Wine Estate specials in the Stanford area

Stanford Hills – Winery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Order @ cellar@stanfordhills.co.za or 072 603 3521

Walker Bay Estate and Birkenhead Brewery – Winery and Brewery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Currently running a promotional case special. Order @ admin@birkenhead.co.za or 028 341 0183

 

Raka Wine Estate – Winery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Order @ info@rakawine.co.z or visit www.rakashop.co.za

Lomond – Winery open Mon-Thurs 10-4pm. Also participated in virtual event 5-part series with Marine Big 5. Order @ info@lomond.co.za or visit https://www.lomond.co.za/shop/

Giant Periwinkle – Free deliveries nationwide and winery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Order @ info@giantperiwinkle or visit https://giantperiwinkle.co.za/order-wine

Welgesind Wine Estate – Winery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Contact Chris @ 082 572 5856 or Amanda @ 082 536 0062

Misty Mountain Wine Estate – Winery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Order @ info@mistymountains.co.za

Vaalvlei Wines – Winery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Order @ info@vaalvlei.co.za

Springfontein Wine Estate – Winery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Order @ info@springfontein.co.za or https://www.springfontein.co.za/shop/

Boschrivier Wines – Winery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Order @ drnjtdevilliers@mweb.co.za or https://www.boschrivierwines.co.za/order/

Sir Robert Stanford Estate – Winery open Mon-Thurs 9-5pm. Order @ info@robertstanford.co.za

The Stanford Wine Route’s Harvest in Pictures

It’s #Harvest2020 time and the members of the Stanford Wine Route have been hard at work harvesting their yields to make more of the amazing cool climate wines visitors to our region have come to love.

Did you know that South Africa ranks 9th amongst the biggest wine producing countries in the world? (source) It goes without saying that wine tourism is an integral part of the South African Experience for visitors – and the 8 members of the Stanford Wine Route are certainly playing their part in delivering some innovative and award winning wines into the mix. Along with the wines themselves, tasting experiences coupled with country restaurants and kid-friendly facilities at many of the venues adds to the appeal of the still fledgling route, now entering its 5th year.

“Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures.”

– Michael Broadbent, British wine writer (1927–)

Let’s take a peek behind the scenes at this year’s harvest via Instagram:

 

Come for the day, stay for the weekend, explore during school holidays or pool your leave for Christmas – it’s not a question of “if” you need to come stay and explore the Stanford Wine Route, but “when”. Cheers!

Do you have a favourite Stanford wine? Tag us on Facebook or Instagram the next time you open a bottle of Stanford’s best – #visitstanford

“With wine and hope, anything is possible.

– Spanish proverb

Find out more about the Stanford Wine Route < HERE >

 

 

 

The Story of Creation in 7 chapters

 

Not far from Stanford is the seaside village of Hermanus – a great day trip destination with seaside cliffs, world class land- and water-based whale watching and a beautiful hidden valley called Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, heaven on earth! Excellent restaurants and wine farms are tucked along this valley, now more accessible than ever because of the R320 upgrade.  Creation Wines is one of these stunning and surprising estates which brims with creativity, passion and fun. Not only can you taste wine and go on a traditional tour through the vineyards and fynbos, you can blend and label your own wine, sample the Creation wines and menu through a selection of pairings, order from the blackboard menu, or indulge in the newest pairing – 7 courses of food and wine served to the table in a story format – the Story of Creation from the egg to the Big Bang!

The Story of Creation is part adventure, part witty comedy as the chefs weave their magic to pair food with Creation wines. Nothing is left to chance. The glassware is elegant, the plates and dishes are earthen and organically shaped, and the sommeliers are relaxed and eloquent, reading the mood of the diners well. The view is out-of-this-world, and the experience is heady and hedonistic…this is well worth booking as it will feed your soul with earthly pleasures and abundance.

Proudly locally sourced produce is conjured into dishes that show off elegant wines. Take a deep breath and dive in – immerse yourself in the fun. And book a shuttle to drive you back to Stanford so you can really let your hair down.

Words and photographs by Phil Murray

A Country Fare Christmas

The upcoming Festive Season allows many of Stanford’s restaurants the opportunity to put their best foot forward with innovative Christmas Menus and merry delights. This also highlights what is, viagra 60mg for many Stanford food creators and lovers alike, the philosophy of food itself – from farm to table. Perhaps it’s the setting of the village that lends itself to this attitude – rolling farmlands and vineyards side by side, a quaint historic village boasting weekly fresh produce markets (both Graze Slow Food Café’s Wednesday morning market, and the Saturday morning market on the stoep of the Stanford Hotel are great for weekly greens and delights), and a monthly Stanford Sunset Market that also tickles taste buds.

Many local wine farms are also represented at the market so guests looking to explore the flavours before heading out to the farms can do so on the village green each month. A group of foodies have formed a collective called the Stanford Food Heroes, who work to promote and “increase community access to fresh, sustainably-grown foods.” Members can be spotted at the Saturday Morning Market or contacted via their website.

There is no shortage of restaurants in Stanford – here you have lots of options ranging from a quaint coffee shop to award-winning country restaurants in the middle of ‘suburbia’, or a lazy lunch at one of the nearby vineyards or farm-style restaurants. On the road leading out of Stanford towards the beach you can find a Michelin-star chef’s restaurant, and beyond that, a daytime café on the banks of the Hermanus Lagoon. No matter the location, farm fresh produce, with a small footprint, is top of mind for many of the village’s dining establishments.

Food should be fresh, plentiful and shared at a table with lots of laughter, friends, family and wine. – Jami of The Tasting Room, Stanford Hills

Join the merriment this Christmas with the villagers of Stanford and dine on local cuisine while soaking up the sights and sounds of one of the Overberg’s best-loved villages. Read about Christmas specials HERE.