Cheese and wine your way around Cape Town this summer

The coastal city of Cape Town truly comes alive during the festive season. It’s the height of summer and as any local knows, this is the best time to spend your summer enjoying cheese and wine in the farmlands on the outskirts of the city. Cape Town boasts a wide variety of cheese and wine-producing farms that offer a much-needed break from the bustling city.

We’re compiled five of our favourite spots to visit:

1. Fairview Farm, Paarl

This old working farm has been operating since 1693 and produces delicious cheese and wine. Enjoy the Fairview deli where you can get fresh and artisanal jams, cheeses and free range meats. Fairview values sustainable practices that honours the history of this estate. A must-try is the delicious fresh bread lovingly made daily by expert bakers and the wide selection of wines that are really affordable. The Goatshed restaurant combines rustic, country-style cuisine with elevated flair.

Fairview is a great place to visit with kids; the goat tower is home to the stars of Fairview; the goats. Once a year you’re invited to take a selfie with the newborn kids and share in some delicious goats cheese made on the farm.

2. Lanzerac Deli, Stellenbosch

If you’re looking for a great place to relax, do a little deli shopping and taste a cheese and charcuterie platter then Lanzerac is the perfect place for you. Hosting a spa, function venue and hotel, this is an all-in-one destination. Guests can expect freshly baked pastries, breads and a selection of homemade relishes to take back home with you. Why not enjoy a romantic picnic for two, prepared daily by the Lanzerac team. Their wines are fabulous too.

3. Yonder Hill, Stellenbosch

Yonder Hill offers cheese and wine tasting at an amazing price. Sandwiched between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, Yonder Hill only produces six cultivars of wine per year, so plenty of care in taken in producing these bespoke wines. The Olyfberg olives are a must and they are served with Yonder Hill’s signature cheese platter of camembert, brie and the local Huguenot cheese. Book a day in advance to ensure that you get a place during peak season.

4. Culture Club Cheese, Cape Town

Ever had an experience of eating a fresh cheese from a specialist? In Cape Town, you can have it. The Culture Club Cheese is a beautiful and modern eatery that celebrates the glory of cheese. From the quirky ‘Wall of Cheese’, to the ‘Wedding Cheese Tower’, Culture Club Cheese is obsessed with all things cheesy. Another exciting concept on offer is Cape Town’s first fermentation lab, an experimental hub that promises to provide products that give you a healthy boost of probiotics. Local favourites include Kombucha, Kraut and smoothies. Get your cheese fix from their wholesale store. This is a great spot for breakfast and grilled cheese sandwiches.

5. Delheim,  Stellenbosch

This exclusive estate specializes in wine and luxurious wine pairings. The family-owned farm is an example of sustainable farming, local conservation and social responsibility. This makes Delheim an estate with a conscience. Expect delicious rosé, bespoke picnics under centuries-old trees and serious fine dining flair from the Garden Restaurant. The Riverside picnic option is a great way to relax. Delheim offers Halaal and vegetarian picnic options, as well as special menus for the kids. Book before you go to avoid disappointment.

Cape Town is known as the ‘food city’ of South Africa and the sheer variety of artisanal goods simply have to be tasted. From award-winning wines to rolling farmlands, create your own cheese and wine adventure this summer.