Stellenbosch offers the perfect outing for city slickers, with plenty to do amongst the vineyards besides wine tasting. If you’re looking to spend the day with friends and family, check out these 3 fantastic markets held at various wine estates in Stellenbosch, come storm or shine!

 

1. Blaauwklippen Family Market

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  • When: Every Sunday, 10h00 – 15h00
  • Where: Blaauwklippen Vineyards, R44 opposite Technopark, between Stellenbosch and Somerset West
  • GPS: -33.971376, 18.847933
  • Contact: Hugo on +27 (0)84 608 6325 or [email protected]

The Blaauklippen Family Market is a weekly market held on one of the oldest and most beautiful wine estates in the country. The market is a feast for the eyes with colourful bunting adorning the trees, friendly vendors chatting away to market goers, and kids tugging their parents from sweet stall to kiddies’ activity.

The stalls offer all sorts of interesting finds, from scarves and African crafts, to home décor, clothing, and plants. A surplus of food and live music sets the scene in the marquee. I recommend making the pancake stand your first port of call while they still have their most popular ingredients (strawberries, cream, and chocolate sauce) in stock!

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The Cold Gold ice cream stand offers a freezer full of frozen delight. There are plenty of signs to help you find it with sales pitches like “ice cream as cold as your ex’s heart” and “you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream, and that’s kind of the same thing”. Pick from flavours like Clemengold Citrus Explosion Sorbet; Chocolate, Coffee and Hazelnut Milk; and Mascarpone, Honey and Vanilla ice cream. They even have two sugar-free options and a daring Maple Syrup and Smokey Bacon flavour.

The Mistress of Spices Indian Food lured us with the promise of tasty samoosas, wraps, and cheese and jalapeno poppers. Wilde at Heart Cordials has a range of sweet drinks, and the juice and smoothie stand is stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables to throw into a blender. Try the green smoothie, packed with spirulina and baobab if you’re feeling daring! The old carriage museum has an alluring array of fresh produce, cheeses, homemade pies, pestos, olives, and bakes.

Craft cider

Craft beer and homemade ciders are fantastic refreshers with options like Everson’s Cloudy Cider or Dragon Fiery Ginger Beer at just R25. The pizza stand accommodates both starving bellies and peckish palates with small and standard sizes and a wide choice of toppings. But if you’re looking for something true to the Cape Winelands, I recommend seeking out Tanya at the Wine Centre and trying their wine and chocolate tasting.

Tables are laid about in the marquee or under the trees. The picnic lawn is a winner on sunny days, and a firm favourite among families and pets. Please note that no food items can be brought into the market, but you’re welcome to bring along a blanket and fill your picnic basket with tasty market fare.

As Blaauwklippen is all about family, there is plenty of entertainment for the little ones, from rides on Crystal the pony, to friendly goats, a jungle gym, and carriage rides!

 

2. Stellenbosch Slow Food Market

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  • When: Every Saturday, 09h00 – 14h00
  • Where: Oude Libertas, Corner of Adam Tas and Oude Libertas Roads
  • GPS: -33.940746, 18.839530
  • Contact: +27 (0)21 886 8514 or [email protected]

The Slow Food Market, held at the Oude Libertas estate on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, is a busy affair that runs regardless of the weather with rainproof Bedouin tents. Over 100 specialty suppliers flaunt foods and produce that has all been grown, harvested, raised, or transformed by the producers, farmers, bakers, organic merchants, butchers, or artisan crafters themselves.

The stalls are set amongst the oak trees and offer everything from homemade jewellery, plants, and wire crafts, to clothing, craft beers, and of course, estate wines! I loved the signs scattered around the tents with phrases like “we were expecting you”, “lettuce grow food” and “give peas a chance”. I recommend trying the Ginger Zinc smoothie and homemade lemonade! For food, think organic fruit and vegetables, fresh spices, slow roasted coffee beans, Belgium stroopwaffles, organic juices, French baguettes, biltong, olive oils, wood fired artisan breads, homemade pestos, boutique cheeses, jams and preserves, and free range Karoo meat. What’s more, you get the chance to taste before you buy!

 

3. Route 44 Market

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  • When: Every Saturday and Sunday, 10h00 – 16h00
  • Where: Audacia Wines, Corner of R44 and Annandale Road
  • GPS: -33.996247, 18.828607
  • Contact: +27 (0)21 881 3137 or [email protected]

The Route 44 Market is a celebration of good food, drinks, and live entertainment. Housed in marquees and surrounded by vineyards and trees on the Audacia estate, the market offers a selection of handpicked antiques, jewellery, crafts, and clothing. For hungry bellies, there is varied choice of food available, such as wood fired pizzas, traditional roosterkoek, biltong, spicy curries, and more. Fill a shopping bag with your favourite olive oil, fresh bread, charcuterie products, and organic produce.

There’s plenty of entertainment for all ages, such as a wooden play park, lawn area for picnics, train rides, a bungee trampoline, Rugby Tots, and target practice. A free 5km park run takes place each Saturday at 8am. With an abundance of good food, Audacia wines, craft beers, and entertainment, it’s undoubtable you’ll smaak this market.

 

Have you been to the any of these markets in Stellenbosch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!