There’s a certain kind of gathering you remember. Not because of a perfectly set table, but because of how people felt around it – comfortable, settled and in no rush to leave. The kind where things don’t quite match, candles burn low and plates are passed around without much ceremony. No overthinking – just time shared together.

Mari understands this well.

As our resident stylist and manager of The Cowshed Shop, she moves between shaping the look and feel of spaces across the farm and running one of our most-loved retail environments. Her work is varied, but always comes back to how people experience a place – and how that carries into everyday life.  

Here’s how she approaches gathering, both on the farm and at home.

A day shaped by the farm

Mari’s role moves between retail and styling, but at its core, it’s about connection. “It’s a multi-faceted role… every day is different. Retail is about relationships – with suppliers, customers and the team – while styling is about having a bird’s-eye view of the spaces people move through on the farm.”

Most mornings begin in the Food Garden. “I like to walk through early, picking greenery or flowers.” From there, those details find their way into the spaces around the farm – a table in the hotel, a corner of the Picnickery, a shelf that needs something. “It feels like pollinating the rest of the farm with what’s growing there.”

Bring the outside in

When it comes to hosting at home, Mari starts in much the same place – the garden. “I pick flowers or foliage and bring that into the space. It’s about that inside-outside relationship.” Sometimes it’s just a small addition. Other times, it means taking things outside altogether. There’s no fixed way of doing it – everything comes together naturally, depending on what’s available and what feels right in the moment.

A sense of abundance

For Mari, the difference between a table that looks beautiful and one that feels generous comes down to something simple: imperfection.  “No neat lines or stiff place settings. A table that feels natural, a bit relaxed – that’s what creates a sense of abundance.”It’s not about having more, but about creating a space where people feel comfortable enough to settle in.

Objects with meaning

Working closely with local makers through The Cowshed has shaped the way Mari thinks about the objects she brings into her home. “The time and care that goes into handmade pieces… it makes you appreciate them differently. There’s something in that imperfection that connects us to our own humanness.” It’s a philosophy that carries through to her gatherings. At home, nothing needs to match. “Glasses are always a challenge. They never last long. So we make do – tumblers, mismatched glasses. That becomes the style.”

What you have is enough

A table doesn’t need to be precise to feel considered. In fact, for Mari, it’s the slightly relaxed, slightly full table that feels the most generous. Lighting is one thing she always returns to. “Candles are key. They change the mood straight away.” Working in the Cowshed means she’s surrounded by beautiful objects, but it’s often the smaller additions that make the biggest difference. “A new candle, an aroma oil… something small that shifts the space.” It’s less about having everything in place and more about making use of what’s already there.

Wine at the centre

Naturally, wine finds its place at the table. “It’s always there. But not in a formal way – it’s part of the flow of the evening.”It’s poured, passed around and shared without too much structure – a bottle opened when people arrive, another when the food comes out. Much like everything else, it finds its own rhythm. A chilled Seaward Sauvignon Blanc to start, a glass of Chenin Blanc that carries through the meal, or a Pinotage when things slow down and settle.

A table that feels like home

If there’s one thing Mari suggests to make an everyday meal feel more considered, it’s this: “Set the table. Even if it’s just takeout. Light a candle, add a flower – it changes the mood completely.” Even a simple meal feels different when a bit of care goes into how it’s shared. That idea comes through clearly in the moments she remembers most. One in particular stands out: a lunch under a tree for a small group of women. “Simple food, shared plates, flowers from the garden.” Nothing complicated, just thoughtfully done. Easy, considered and shared. “It felt sacred to be part of that… to feed people in that way.”

Good together

At the heart of it all is a simple idea. “We are better by being together.” It’s a sentiment that sits naturally with the way we think about wine – something made to be shared, to bring people together and to find its place in everyday moments. When wine is rooted in good soil, it belongs in good homes – at good tables, with your people. If you’re gathering soon, start with what’s around you, open a bottle and let the rest follow.

Explore our wines or plan your next visit to the farm.