Cape Point Vineyard

Driving to Cape Point usually was just that little bit too far out for my liking. Now I have changed my tune since I visited Cape Point Vineyard.
 
The drive to Cape Point Vineyard took us past part of The Silvermine Nature Reserve which was already awesome. If you are a keen hiker who loves nature then you will enjoy Silvermine which forms part of Table Mountain National Park. You can hike from here to Table Mountain if you have an entire day to yourself. We were however on the quest for wine...
 
We eventually arrived at Cape Point Vineyard and was treated to this view...


Look at that view!

 
So worth the drive! How can you not have a fabulous day with this??
 
We decided to enjoy a wine tasting as the sun was shining and we had to celebrate the day. What sets Cape Point Vineyard apart from other wineries I have visited is that you can taste wine by the glass. A taster range between R5 to R10. You can also order wine by the carafe which ranges between R25-R80. We opted to order three carafes and host our own wine tasting. It was actually nice as we could taste and enjoy the wine at our own pace. We tasted their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. I enjoyed all three but we left with a few bottles of the Sauvignon Blanc. I actually just had a glass and I still love! Too much of an easy drinking wine :)

Let the tasting begin!

Cheers!

 
Cape Point Vineyards is also a prime picnic spot. Unfortunately you have to order your basket 24 hours in advance so we missed out but it's on the 'to do list' for summer! You can enjoy your picnic in a large space around their dam while chilling on some comfy cushions or utilise some of the picnic benches. There are also numerous umbrellas around that will protect you from the sun. With that view, great wine, a group of friends and delicious treats you are ensured of a fabulous time!

Pricewise a picnic basket that serves two is R395. It contains the following:

Bobotie wraps

Cured meat selection

Cheese selection with crackers and chilli jam

Smoked coronation chicken salad

Chickpea, lentil, basil and mint salad

Caprese salad with pesto dressing

Roasted red pepper and corn hummus

Chicken liver pate with thyme and honey glazed bacon lardons

Roasted garlic snoek pate

Ciabatta loaf

Double chocolate and almond brownies

 
A vegetarian option is also available.
 
If you want something light then go for the snack basket for R230:

Cured meat selection

Cheese selection with crackers and chilli jam

Roasted garlic snoek pate

Ciabatta loaf

Olives

They also cater for the kiddies at R65 with a hot dog, potato salad, cheese and bacon pinwheels,fruit salad, juice box and old fashioned fudge.

There's ample space to enjoy your picnic in private

Choose your spot and relax...

You are ensured of a great view no matter where you sit!

Some pillows are available to ensure you picnic in comfort!

 

On Thursdays they host a Community Market from 16:30-20:30. The Kitchen Cowboys, Cakes&Desserts and Imhoff Cheese are just some of the vendors that will tantalise your taste buds. As a sidenote, if you love markets, check out this website which summarises all the markets in a particular area as well as feature what markets you can visit on the different days of the week.

 

As you can see Cape Point Vineyard has a lot to offer. They also have a restaurant where you can feast on Italian/Mediterranean food. They currently have special where you can enjoy a two course(R150) or three course(R180) lunch on Wednesday and Friday from their a la carte menu.

 

The deck of the restaurant

 

They cater for a wide range of people and budgets. I'm sure you will find something there that you will love! That view alone is price-less! Add it to your summer 'to do list'. I can't wait to return!

 

Contact them at 021 789 0900 or bookings@cape-point.co.za

Visit their website for more information

Like them on Facebook

Follow them @CPVineyard

 

We ended off our day with a drive through Chapman's Peak. Wow, I am so privileged to live in such a beautiful country!

 

Hello beautiful South-Africa



Whoo hoo! Bring on summer!

 

Happy Sunday!

Hope it's a wine, delicious food and friends filled day!

 

 

Crown Restaurant at Meerendal Wine Estate

It was one of those sunny winter Sundays. You know one of those days, that we've been enjoying the last couple of weeks, that's usually followed by rainy and cold weather. A total teaser! I must say that winter has really overstayed it's welcome but I think we are almost official in summers' territory.  So I headed out to Crown for an afternoon of wine and sun before 6 weeks of Paediatrics took over my life.

Welcome to Crown

Crown is situated on Meerendal Wine Estate. If you are part of the 'active' crowd you will know that Meerendal is one of the places in the Northern Suburbs where you can ride your bicycle or go for a run and then hop right into Crown for a 'bederf brekkie'! Breakfast is served until 11:00 and range between R25-R60. I skipped the active part and headed straight for the wine and food part. Next time I will go with my running shoes :)

I was surprised how stylish the establishment was. I was impressed how they played with different shapes of furniture. One of my favourites was this awesome piece below as well as the bicycle wall!

Next time I want to sit in one of those! It looks so cool!

Crown paying tribute to all the bicycle lovers!

They also have one wall that is covered with mirrors that enlarges the space immensely. They have large concertina doors that open onto a big lawn. Ideal if it's a sunny day or if you go with little ones as you will always be able to keep an eye on them.

Large lawn that everyone can enjoy!

The mirror wall!

They serve simple food in an elegant manner. We enjoyed a cheese and chacuterie platter for R155. It was more than enough for two people and I will recommend that you share it between four. The only thing I did not enjoy was the boiled eggs. It took away some of the class of the platter and you should rather keep those 'delicacies' when you go on a road trip! I personally just hate them! The food that went passed us looked delicious and ensured that we have to return in the future! Their BBQ beef burger(R65) caught my eye as well as their beef steak(200g) that is served with baby potatoes, hollandaise sauce and green beans(R130). Their salads range between R60-R67 and they are definitely generous with their portions.

Our delicious platter filled with a great variety of cheese, chacuterie, olives, figs and more!

We did however enjoy a sweet treat of chocolate and caramel filled pancakes served with ice-cream(R34). I loved the filling but the pancake itself was undercooked and underwhelming. They do have milk tart on the menu that is served with butternut and mascarpone ice-cream(R34) that I will try next time! Vegetable ice-cream can only be healthy :)

Chocolate and salted caramel pancake. Here the portion is already halved.

 

I loved how they served their coffee. It's the small details that count.

Service was a 10/10. They were friendly and efficient. Bookings area a must if you plan to visit over the weekend. The place was packed and the atmosphere was wonderful. If it's a great day do sit outside!

Crown also hosts a Farmers Market on their large lawn. The next one is the 11th of October. You can RSVP here. You will be treated to fresh produce, home made goods as well as an entertainment section for the little ones. 

Where you will find the wine tasting...

We really enjoyed Meerendal's Unwooded Chardonnay(R69) so after lunch we went to the wine tasting and deli area to purchase a few bottles. An unwooded wine is usually when the wine is not matured in an wood barrel but rather in a stainless steel vat. It's an ideal wine for people who don't like the strong wood taste that accompany some wines and it's also ideal for wine beginners as the wine has a gentle yet flavoursome taste. I think we really enjoyed it because it was an easy and refreshing wine to drink which paired perfectly with all the strong cheeses without competing with their flavours.

At the wine tasting area you can sit  outside on a lovely deck overlooking the estate and also enjoy a platter with your wine tasting. If I remember correctly its about R25 for five wines. Their wines per bottle range between R39-R250. Meerendal is one of the first places in South-Africa that planted the Pinotage cultivar way back in 1955. Their Pinotage (R140) therefore is a 'must-try'.

The deck

 

Wine shop

 

This is definitely a spot where I want to be on a Friday afternoon after a long week or enjoy a wine filled lunch with friends!

Crown Restaurant and Wine bar

• Visit their website for more information
• Contact them at 021 515 5853 or info@crownrestaurant.co.za
• Like them on Facebook
• Located on the Vissershok road, Durbanville
• Breakfast and lunch: Monday-Sunday
• Dinner: Tuesday-Saturday

Meerendal Wine Estate

• Visit their website for more information
• Wine tasting: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00
• Like them on Facebook