Summary: Cavalli Estate in Somerset West is offering limited gourmet picnic baskets on its manicured lawns, overlooking the vineyards and Helderberg mountains. Each basket serves two and costs R850, or R765 for Wine Club members. Regular and vegetarian menus are available, along with a separate kiddies picnic for R260 per child. Bookings must be made at least 24 hours ahead. See the full menu here.
Some afternoons are simply better spent outdoors, preferably with a picnic basket, a beautiful view and absolutely no washing up afterwards.
Cavalli Estate is inviting guests to enjoy exactly that with its gourmet picnics on the lawn, set among the estate’s manicured gardens and overlooking the surrounding vineyards and Helderberg mountain range. [full menu]
Designed for two people to share, the picnic baskets bring together a selection of savoury bites, cheeses, freshly prepared dishes and sweet treats. With regular and vegetarian options available, there is something to suit different tastes, while families can also order a dedicated kiddies picnic for younger guests.
It is a wonderful way to enjoy the Helderberg Winelands at a slower pace. Rather than settling in for a traditional restaurant meal, guests can spread out on the lawn, take in the vineyard scenery and work their way through a basket of gourmet treats.
What is included in the Cavalli gourmet picnic baskets?
- The regular picnic menu starts with seed loaf served with butter and herbs, alongside spiced nuts and smoked Stanford cheese with pickled grapes and crisps. The savoury selection continues with a fired sesame and ginger chicken “sosatie”, quiche au fromage and trout pâté served with gherkin and lavash. A grain salad with peas, mint and cucumber adds a fresh element to the spread. There is also a sweet finish, with “Basque style” cheesecake and lemon madeleines rounding off the basket.
- Vegetarian guests are catered for with a separate menu. It includes the same seed loaf, spiced nuts, smoked Stanford cheese, quiche au fromage and grain salad, while the savoury alternatives feature a fired Mushroom and miso “sosatie” and hummus with gherkin and lavash. The “Basque style” cheesecake and lemon madeleines complete the vegetarian selection.
- For younger visitors, Cavalli also offers a kiddies picnic at R260 per child. The children’s basket includes crumbed chicken with mayo dip, potato crisps, seasonal fruits, a banana, yoghurt and honey shake, cold pressed fruit juice, chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies, hummus with gherkin and lavash, and a crudité kebab with dip.
Each gourmet picnic basket costs R850 and is designed for two people to share. Wine Club members receive a discounted rate of R765 per basket, also serving two. The kiddies picnic is priced separately at R260 per child, making it possible for families to enjoy their own picnic spreads together on the lawn.
The picnics are limited in number and require booking at least 24 hours in advance. This is not quite the sort of lunch that can be decided on at the last minute.
Bookings are also subject to weather conditions. If rain is expected, guests have the option to reschedule, provided the booking is cancelled by 17:00 on the previous day, or collect the basket to enjoy as a takeaway instead. Set against Cavalli Estate’s vineyard and mountain scenery, the picnic offers a lovely alternative to the usual lunch outing. With a choice of regular or vegetarian baskets, a dedicated children’s option and a setting made for lingering, it is a rather good excuse to gather friends or family and enjoy a little time outdoors in the Winelands.
Quick details
- Experience: Gourmet picnics on the lawn
- Venue: Cavalli Estate
- Location: R44 Highway (Strand Road), Somerset West, Helderberg Winelands
- Regular picnic: R850 per basket, serves two
- Wine Club price: R765 per basket, serves two
- Vegetarian option: Available
- Kiddies picnic: R260 per child
- Booking requirement: At least 24 hours in advance
- Availability: Limited number of picnics
- Weather policy: Reschedule if cancelled by 17:00 the previous day, or collect the basket as a takeaway
- Telephone: 021 855 3218
- Email: info@cavalliestate.com
- Website: https://cavalliestate.com/
- Contact: https://cavalliestate.com/contact/
FAQs
How much does a gourmet picnic at Cavalli Estate cost?
A regular or vegetarian picnic basket costs R850 for two people. Wine Club members pay R765 per basket.
Is there a vegetarian picnic option?
Yes. The vegetarian basket includes a fired Mushroom and miso “sosatie”, hummus with gherkin and lavash, cheese, quiche, salad and desserts.
Are there picnics for children?
Yes. A kiddies picnic costs R260 per child and includes crumbed chicken, fruit, a banana, yoghurt and honey shake, cold pressed fruit juice, cookies and other snacks.
How far in advance must picnics be booked?
Bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Availability is limited.
What happens if it rains?
If rain is expected, guests can reschedule if they cancel by 17:00 the previous day, or collect their picnic basket to enjoy as a takeaway.
Where are the Cavalli picnics held?
The picnics take place on the lawn at Cavalli Estate in Somerset West, overlooking the vineyards and Helderberg mountain range.
