Festive Feasting

Whether it’s a leisurely picnic under the ancient oaks of Spier’s historic Werf or a lavish Christmastime courtyard buffet, there’s a whole host of delicious ways to celebrate the festive season at Spier Wine Farm with your family.

1. Jazz up your Christmas lunch

Spoil the fam with something a little different this Christmas. As gentle jazz fills our shady courtyard and the kids enjoy supervised entertainment, tuck into a buffet packed with festive flavour that’s bound to delight even your fussiest family members. Beginning with gourmet salads, fresh farm bread and gazpacho, the lunch’s main event is a carvery fit for a king, with roast beef, a chicken supreme, smoked pork belly and Mediterranean-style fish alongside sublime sides such as aubergine and coconut curry and toasted almond-topped root vegetables. The dessert table features red velvet swiss roll, Christmas pudding cupcakes, chocolate tarts and more!

Lunch costs R850 per adult (includes food and beer, water, wine and soft drinks) and R300 for kids 6 to 12; kids under 6 eat free. Book here.

2. Travel the world one bite at a time

Although it’s best known for its slow-and-low roasted meats, Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery proves it’s a potent all-rounder with its globally-inspired Christmas set menu. Starters include trout gravlax with pickled beets, mushroom arancini with aioli, Malay-spiced chicken wings and jalapeno stuffed with cheese and brisket, wrapped in bacon. Highlights from the mains are the roast pork belly, smoked chicken with pork sage and apricot stuffing, and the red pepper Panzanella salad with Belnori goat cheese. With deserts, you’re spoilt for choice with a range that includes honey fudge, mince pies, strawberry méringue pie and, of course, Vadas’s famous pasteis de nata. A specially-adapted (and just as delicious!) vegetarian menu caters to diners who don’t eat meat.

Christmas lunch costs R650 per person and R250 per child between the ages of 5 and 12. Book via 021 809 1137 or info@vadas.co.za

3. Eat alfresco on dappled lawns

The best Christmas gifts aren’t always the ones left wrapped under the tree – as you’ll quickly discover upon opening up your Christmas picnic basket. Its festive assortment - exclusively available on Christmas Day - features a bounty of delicious morsels, including smoked salmon trout, gammon terrine and a grain salad featuring Christmas spices, pickled cranberry and confit duck. Save room for the mince pies and decadent chocolate trifle!

This special basket is available on Christmas day only, a basket for two costs R700 and R150 per child. Book here.

4. Bring in the New Year with a buffet (and some boogieing!)

Celebrate the successes of the old year, and the promise of the new one with a feast like other. The evening kicks off with farm-inspired canapés, followed by gorgeous starters such as smoked Franschhoek trout, a build-your-own salad and creamy seafood bisque. The lavish mains feature Karoo lamb on the spit, herb-crusted venison, bacon-wrapped pork fillet and fish in lemon and garlic butter; these are accompanied by scene-stealing sides (the nasturtium pesto pappardelle and ginger-glazed baby carrots are both musts!). Lastly, there’s a decadent dessert selection that includes chocolate gateaux cakes, macaron croquembouche, key lime tart and tiramisu. This is a night for the whole family — so bring the kids! While you tear it up on the dancefloor as live band, The Rockets perform, they’ll be able to enjoy specially supervised entertainment and a buffet meal of their own.

Dinner costs R1400 per adult (includes food and beer, water, wine, MCC and soft drinks) and R300 for kids 6 to 12; kids under 6 eat free. Book here.