I don’t get out enough. I mean, I live in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world and I spend far too much time indoors. So, I aim to spend more time doing interesting things outside (SUGGESTIONS WELCOME) – the first of which was a tour and picnic at Uitkyk Farm.
Eating cheese under a tree, is where happy Kayli lives.
Uitkyk was founded in 1712 for cattle grazing, and it was only in 1929 that they began producing wines and later, brandy. But that isn’t all they do.
The stunning manor house has been restored to use for photoshoots and private functions, as well as one of the venues to host their many events.
- Try a Wine Tasting for only R15p/p you can taste three of their wines. THREE. R20. TWENTY RAND. And they aren’t small tasters. Bargain.
- For R60p/p try the Cat & Mouse Pairing: Five wines paired with five pancakes. Think along the lines of Flat Roof Manor Pinot Grigio paired with Thai Green curry pancake; Uitkyk Chardonnay paired with a Brie and Roasted Pumpkin pancake; and Flat Roof Manor Shiraz with a Roast Beef, Baby Spinch and Cranberry jelly pancake. Yes please.
- If that doesn’t float your boat, pitch your tent, blow your hair back or grate your carrot, you could try the Brandy and Truffle Pairing for only R40p/p.
- And why not throw in a cheese platter for R130 while you are at it. Everyone likes cheese, right?
- And finally…
When you arrive at the farm, you’re welcomed into the tasting room to try the Flat Roof Manor selection of wines to find your favourite. That bottle is then added to the picnic basket for you to go off, find a quiet spot and enjoy. We chose the 2010 Pinot Rose because it was quite a light and zesty drink for an incredible hot day (I cant find the button to do the little hat thing on “rose”) (yes, I did just call it a hat thing) (sue me).
In the basket, along with a range of homemade bread, you get baboti spring rolls, chipolata sausage skewers, gypsy ham, rare roast beef accompanied by whole grain mustard, olive tapenade and sweet chilli cream cheese. I couldn’t eat the pork, so they just left it out, but if you are a pork eater, the full basket looks incredible!
You will also find both roast veg and feta, as well as goat’s cheese, tomato and basil pesto tarts – which were both divine. The Greek pasta salad, however, was a bit overcooked and needed salt. The tsasiki, which was served with crudités, also lacked on the salt front.
We finished off with a Simonsberg cheese platter served with green fig and melon preserve, then fruit kebabs and chocolate brownies. Mmmm.
It was so nice to eat outside for a change, and no, a table on the pavement or in the courtyard of a restaurant doesn’t quite count. Sitting on a blanket (which they give you to use) under a tree, on the grass, watching the clouds roll by is the perfect way to spend a Sunday… Or Monday… Or Tuesday… Or Wednesday…
PS: Before you toddle on down to Uitkyk, give them a call in advance to book: 021 884 4416.
Directions to Uitkyk
Situated on the R44 between Stellenbosch & Paarl.