Summer food and wine delights at Vergelegen wine estate

Locals and visitors in search of delectable food and wine, suitable for all tastes and budgets, can make the most of the summer holidays in one easy-to-reach destination, Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West.

Guests can enjoy Vergelegen’s famous picnics in the mysterious camphor forest

The 322-year-old estate, which recently won the Wine Tourism Services category in the 2023 Best of Wine Tourism Awards, is set in a lush, biodiverse landscape.

Its variety and quality of produce, supported by specialist producers, enable it to offer hyper-seasonal menus complemented by award-winning estate wines.

Vergelegen’s magnificent gardens, historic trees and heritage buildings also make it the ideal setting for hosting gourmet food and wine events such as the Helderberg Fresh Fine Wine & Food Festival, taking place on 3 December.

Helderberg Fresh Fine Wine & Food Festival

More than 20 Helderberg top wineries will offer over 100 wines to swirl, sip and savour, while the Helderberg’s most talented chefs will vie to create the most tempting gourmet food.

Diverse culinary style will be presented by Michael Bridgeman of Stables Restaurant at Vergelegen; renowned Lebanese-born chef Ghenwa Steingaszner, representing Ghenwa’s Culinary Club, based at Lourensford; Stefan Bekker of Erinvale Hotel; and Botanicum at Morgenster. Craig Cormack and Beau du Toit will represent SALT at Waterford Estate, while Bertus Basson will be in attendance with a collaboration between Chorus at Waterkloof Vineyards and Clara’s Barn at Vergenoegd Löw.

Café Fleur Restaurant

Café Fleur restaurant is inspired by the floral beauty of Vergelegen’s extensive gardens, and the classic cuisine, elegant ambience, excellent service and wine-making styles of France. The restaurant, which includes extensive outdoor seating, overlooks lush lawns and is a short stroll from the banks of the Lourens River.

The menu, refreshed for summer, offers dishes such as oysters with lemon, melon and fig salad with Parma ham shavings, and country terrine with fresh peach salad. Choices such as aubergine roulade filled with basil, mozzarella, sundried grapes and toasted pine nuts, and panfried salmon in a light, creamy dill sauce, are perfect choices on hot days.

Camphor forest picnics

The estate’s famous white table cloth picnics are again available in the camphor tree forest. Whether you are in search of a romantic meal for two, or a relaxed get-together with family and friends, this is an ideal opportunity to enjoy sun-ripened flavours in an exquisite environment.

The all-inclusive, new menu offers delights like smoked salmon and apple paté, leek, goats’ cheese and chive quiche, coronation chicken, a mini camembert with figs and charcuterie platter, and dessert. Standard, vegetarian, vegan and children’s picnics are available and booking is essential.

Stables Restaurant

This ever-popular family-friendly bistro-styled restaurant at Vergelegen is renowned for its great garden setting and mountain views. It offers a variety of delectable menu options from breakfast dishes to pizzas, burgers and a children’s menu.

Managing Director of Vergelegen, Wayne Coetzer, says, “Our gardens are looking spectacular, and service is a priority at Vergelegen. It’s always a privilege to welcome established friends of Vergelegen and to introduce new guests to our restaurants and beautiful surroundings.

“Do keep Vergelegen in mind when planning your summer holidays, or advising visitors on where to enjoy the best of the Cape.”

FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK

Helderberg Fresh
Visit www.helderbergfresh.co.za, email info@helderbergfresh.co.za or phone Annareth Bolton at 083 265 2405.

Café Fleur
Opening hours: Lunch Wed-Sun 12h00-17h00 (kitchen closes at 14h30).
Dinner Fri-Sat 18h00-23h00 (kitchen closes at 20h30). Closed Mondays & Tuesdays.

Menu: https://vergelegen.co.za/cafe-fleur-food-menu/

Reservations are essential: info@vergelegen.co.za or phone 021 847 2111.

Picnics
Picnics may be collected from 12h15-13h30. Standard and vegetarian menus R360/person, vegan menu R370/person, children’s picnic R140 per child (three to ten year olds). These costs exclude gratuity, entrance fee and beverages/wine. A 10% gratuity will be added for reservations of eight people or more. https://vergelegen.co.za/restaurants/picnics-at-vergelegen/

Bookings essential: picnic@vergelegen.co.za or phone 021 847 2131.

Stables Restaurant
Website: https://vergelegen.co.za/restaurants/stables-at-vergelegen/
Email: stables@vergelegen.co.za or phone 021 847 2156.