Hanging out at De Warenmarkt

One of the best parts about living in Stellenbosch is trying all the new places that spring up. I think De Warenmarkt on the corner of Ryneveld and Plein Street is definitely going to be one of our new favorite spots.

We met one of our friends there for a glass of wine last week and surprisingly it was only the 3rd day they were open. De Warenmarkt is made up of a number of gorgeous gourmet food stands that range from coffee to cheese to the most incredible wood fire breads - banters beware.
The wine list is a bit on the limited side at the moment considering it is a wine bar but has some really lovely wines - We enjoyed a Steenberg Savignon blanc 2014 (R180 per bottle).

The setting is funky and modern and there is a huge fire place in the center of the room which was nice and cosy for a chilly winters evening. Our waiter told us that most of the food vendors close around about 7 but there were a few that served a little later which was fantastic because it gave us just enough time to get some breads and make up a small cheese platter to enjoy with our glass of wine. Call me old fashioned but I just can't drink wine out of a stemless glass like the ones they use, it doesn't taste right and you drink it far to quickly...especially in Stellenbosch where wine is such a big part of the culture.

We really loved hanging out at De Warenmarkt and can't wait to enjoy beautiful Summer evening there.

Wonderful food and wine

The perfect wine needs the perfect glass right?

De Warenmarkt is open Mondays - Saturday

For more information have a look at their website (link above) or their Facebook page


Reading on Facebook Chef George Jardine (Jordans Restaurant) has big plans at De Warenmarkt - I will definitely update this post when we get around to trying some of the amazing things on his menu

Adventures in the Sunshine

Now that the weather is getting a little chillier and rainy days are on the way we have to make use of every lasts Autumn day.
Last week we decided our wine collection was looking a little depleted and we needed an adventure to refill it. So we went a little bit further then normal and see what Knorhoek had to offer. The drive in is gorgeous with a road lined with ice berg roses and the sun hitting a palette of autumn coloured vines.

Knorhoek is near to Muartie and Delhuim and has a lovely selection of red and white wines. They are one of about 15 estates to produce a Cabernet Franc wine. They also have a range of really well price wines that are very enjoyable including a rose,white and red blend (I wouldn't waste my time on the rose but the others were fantastic).
Knorhoek has a beautiful cellar/tasting center with lots of old rustic features, there's also plenty of space to to sit outside and enjoy the view.

If you ever visit Knorhoek you have to pop your head into their restaurant Towerbosch, it's stunning!! It's an whimsical  Alice in Wonderland dream with cups and saucers and silver cutlery dangling from the ceiling. The menu looks mouth watering and they also do a Sunday roast.

Tastings are R20 for 5 wines and if you purchase wine the tasting is free.
Hours: 10am - 5pm
021 865 2114/5

Muratie - Warming up Winter

It feels like just over night we went from sweltering hot Summer days to icy winter evenings where even the sun disappears before 7pm.
On the up side this means cozy blankets,comfy jerseys and PORT. We love port and can pretty much drink it any time of the year but we need even less of an excuse when winter comes because lets be honest - It can warm up even the coldest winter nights.

Not so long ago we decided we'd take my dad on a little adventure and where better to go then Muratie. We'd had their port many times but it's always so much nicer when you visit the place where something you love is made. Muratie is laced in wonderful history...and cobwebs. The tasting takes place in the old wine cellar and the walls have just as much character as the wine.
The rich history of this estate is amazing with stories fit for a BBC drama series and on top of that they make really good wines...needless to say we walked away with 2 cases.
The staff there are so friendly and informative. Even though the day we visited the tasting room was swarming with people we still enjoyed ourselves. We were able to taste about 8 of their wines including their sweet wine Amber Forever (they wines are all named after people who lived on the estate and played some role in its history) which was simply delicious.


Muratie is just off the Knorhoek Road along the R44, also along this road your able to find Delheim, another really lovely estate with fascinating history that goes back as far as 1699. They make a very famous wine called Spatzendreck, which also has a very interesting story attached to it. Delheim does a very informative cellar tour and has a German influenced restaurant which does cheese fondues around the fire places during winter.

So finally winter is on it's way and we've stocked up on winter warmers! Muraties Cape Ruby is definitely one you shouldn't miss out on and if you lucky enough to visit on a day they have their older vintage ports you're in for an absolute treat. 

Entrance of Muratie

lovely music setting a festive mood at Delheim

Muraties tasting hours:
Monday to Friday: 10h00 to 17h00
Saturday: 10h00 to 17h00
Sunday: 10h00 to 17h00
021 865-2330/6


Delhuim tasting hours:
MON– SUN: 09h00 – 17h00
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 09h00 – 17h00
CLOSED: New Years Day; Good Friday; Easter Sunday; Xmas Day
TOURS:Mon – Sun: 10h30 & 14h30
021 888 4600

Audacia - Root 44 Market

I'm a real sucker for a market! I just love everything about a market and hearing about a new market is enough to get me out of bed bright and early on a Sunday morning.
There's nothing better then waking up, going to have your coffee and lovingly made breakfast somewhere new.

The Root 44 Market at Audacia Winery (along the R44 to Stellenbosch) started 3 weeks ago and wil be without a doubt one of the best things to hit Stellenbosch. Unlike most markets there's ample space, with 2 huge marques and apparently more in the pipe line you are able to move easily from stand to stand. Once you've bought your tasty treats you're able to find a chair under one of the very cleverly positioned tree shaded tables - they have actually built the tables about the tree trunks. There's also a huge stage that has been built for live concerts during the market. Which caters for young and old as well as hula hoop workshops-definitely the first I've heard of that
.

With so many markets popping up everywhere these days you often land up seeing the same things over and over again but fortunately the Root 44 market is a breath of fresh air with all sorts of new stalls. There's plenty of delicious organic fruits and veg as well as gorgeous baked goods and countless craft beer stands (as well as a beautiful bar called the Blue Moon Bar). There is just so much to choice from!! -Personal favorite was the cannoli from La Masseria and their mascarpone, fig and walnut cheese.

Do yourself a favor and make a day out of it, pack your picnic blanket and don't be put off by the packed parking lot-there is loads of space and so much to see.


ROOT 44 Market is now open on Saturdays & Sundays from 09h00 - 15h30

Amazing AmaZink

AmaZink, WOW! I almost don't know how to start telling you what a unique experience this was.

AmaZink live is South Africa's first Township Theatre Restaurant and you can find it in Kayamandi just outside of Stellenbosch. It's run by a group of incredibly talented people who do absolutely everything...the cast members sing, dance (I haven't even seen the zumba instructor at the gym have this much energy) and on top of it all they were taking all the restaurant orders -the food was delicious,a little bit of everything South African...minus the dodgy stuff like tripe and skaap kop (sheep head).

It's the first time I've experienced something like this,the show draws you in and you can't take your eyes off the 360 degree performance. The story line is truly South African...not the corny leopard print clad tourist type but the kind locals and tourist can enjoy side by side along with the foot tapping boogie South African songs.  Absolute highlight of the show was the Skoonma's ('mother-in-law-to-be') happy birthday song  Mandoza - Nkalakatha- she's got move!

Definitely an experience you'll never forget, it's a feast for your eyes and will without a doubt will make you feel proudly South African.

The Show will be running till the 30th of March on the following days:

• Wednesday evening
• Friday evening
• Saturday evening 

Cost per Ticket R200 per person

Bookings can be made on the website   AmaZink