Refreshed & Revitalised - Blaauwklippen Family Market

Bigger isn’t always better! The Blaauwklippen Family Market has reopened with a fresh focus on small and local – a place to meet farmers, entrepreneurs, designers, cooks and crafters, and shop for seasonal produce and hand-crafted and sustainably-produced goods.

What hasn’t changed is that the market still offers a great weekend outing for the whole family to soak up the fresh country air and scenic natural surroundings of the historic Stellenbosch wine farm, with lots for everyone to see, do, taste, and buy.

The lockdown gave Blaauwklippen the opportunity to pause, rethink and refresh the market after 10 years of growth, in line with their ongoing journey of revitalising their offerings, spirit of innovation and passion for sustainably steering their 338-year heritage into the future.

The Blaauwklippen team has sought out and personally selected vendors – a mix of old favourites and newcomers – who focus on quality and craftsmanship, organic produce, handcrafted goods, innovative design and living sustainably.

Every Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 to 15:00, join them in a relaxed, country atmosphere with music under the ancient trees and explore products sourced from crafters and entrepreneurs across the Western Cape. Expect to see freshly-harvested fruit and veggies, fresh flowers, plants and pots for the urban gardener, handmade, personalised and upcycled jewellery, natural body and beauty products, and funky baby and kids wear (along with an innovative bartering platform).

And in line with the “new normal”, many of these vendors offer to-your-door delivery of anything from curated indoor pot plant collections to bean-to-bar chocolates or weekly veg boxes.

Sample and shop for handmade chocolates and decadent desserts, real ice-cream (you can even sample a sorbet made with Blaauwklippen’s Garden Gin), craft lemonades, fresh cold-pressed juices and smoothies, organic wholefoods and deli products.

Keep the hunger pangs at bay with Stellenbosch’s favourite burgers from De Vrije Burger or the gourmet braaibroodjies of the resident Hamm&Uys Eatery and take a break from shopping for a picnic on the lawns with a view of the mountains.

Meanwhile, the younger ones are in for hours of fun with their newly-installed giant jungle gym built for adventures and exploring, complete with a zipline for added excitement.

The Blaauwklippen tasting room is open for sampling their award-winning wines and craft gins (try their innovative pairing menus or buy some wine or gin to enjoy with your picnic), as well as the Blaauwklippen Farm Shop & Deli for a wide range of local fresh produce and deli fare, bakery and charcuterie treats, designer homeware and light bistro-style meals.

Hamm&Uys Eatery is also open on market days, offering their generous meals of Cape classics with modern flair – a great option to gather the family around a big table and tuck in.

All Covid-19 protocols are in place across the market and farm venues, with plenty of sanitiser stations and a strict no mask-no service policy.

The Blaauwklippen Family Market takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00. Turn off the R44, Strand Rd, Stellenbosch to Blaauwklippen and follow the signs. Entry is free and parking is available.