The name Spier conjures up a range of images to interested people – involving fine wine, good food, eco-consciousness, history, culture, rescued raptors and more. What’s noteworthy is that every image is positive, a pleasing collection that well illustrates both the commitment and the success that the farm has enjoyed over the past several years.
Awards from local and international travel publications this year have added the proverbial cherries on the top, but this is an estate that focuses on local communities and visitors first and the latter will find plenty that’s new and exciting on the summer menu.
In place of the former deli, an attractive new wine centre, with a deck for al fresco tastings, is set to open next month. Inside, the chandelier made from 334 recycled Spier wine bottles is a weighty example of the sustainable practices that dominate operations on the farm. Along with tasting the wide range of wines that Spier produces, food and wine pairings include a choice of cheese, olives and charcuterie.
Spier has renamed two of its top wines and relaunched them as 21 Gables pinotage 2009 and chenin 2010. The 2012 Platter guide rates the duo as four and four-and-a-half stars respectively, and both are classy ways of drawing attention to the unique collection of Cape Dutch gables that feature on Spier’s historic buildings.
Spier’s farm-to-table restaurant, known as Eight, has now acquired a neighbour – Eight-to-Go – where diners will find the makings of exciting picnics, created by Judy Badenhorst and Spier chef Lorrianne Heynes. Hungry gourmands will relish the gourmet meal (R165) which includes smoked trout, farm cheeses, charcuterie, patés, breads, salads and more, while a simpler option costs R125. The vegetarian picnic focuses on cheese, salads and caramelised onion tart, and raw food addicts will hone in on a wholesome meal that includes cashew nut hummus, and an avocado, fennel and papaya salad (R170). Children’s picnics cost R70. Visitors can select their own items from the deli, individually priced.
Book your picnic by calling 021 809 1172.
Work off the kilojoules with a heritage walk through vineyards and fynbos gardens, or try Segwaying your way around the farm (R200 for an hour, pre-booking advisable) with an efficient guide.
What better way to start the festive season than with Spier’s White Lights festival on December 9 – a family occasion where the audience is treated to an interactive performance of dance and fire-throwing in various spaces, finishing with the release of lighted balloons.
Visitors are advised to bring a rug, buy refreshments, and settle on the lawns until 8pm when the performance starts. Tickets cost R120 for adults and R60 for children under 12. Book at Computicket. - Weekend Argus