The first recorded association of Valentine's day with romantic love is in the "Parlement of Fouls" (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer. The first poetic verse to be sent on Valentines day is from Charles, Duke of Orleans, who sent his wife a rhyming love letter on the 14th of February, 1415, while imprisoned in theTower of London. To this day, it is on display at the British Museum.
In the spirit of Valentine's Day we have compiled a list of some really romantic and unique ideas based throughout the winelands for you and your loved to share together on this special day.
1. Noble Hill - Valentine's Picnics
Enjoy Valentine's day at Noble Hill with delicious picnics on the rolling lawns.
Baskets for 2 can be prepared in two styles for R 218 and include a special holiday treat!
Choose from the Vineyard Picnic Baskets: Meat and cheese platter, salmon patte, chicken mushroom peppadew salad, pasta salad, seasonal salad,olives, bread, biscuits,chips and dessert.
Or the Garden Picnic Basket: Cheese platter, mediterranean mezze platter with humus, couscou, pesto dip, spanakopitas, seasonal veggies, mushroom peppadew salad, pasta salad, seasonal salad, olives, bread, biscuits chips and dessert.
Advance booking is required.
The Cosecha restuarant offers a Valentines set menu for the 13-14th February and includes: three delicious courses paired with a bottle of Noble Hill Chardonnay, our newest release. Brunch/lunch will start with a refreshing ceviche, followed by prawn & ostrich skewers and a delicious creamy chocolate brownie à la mode to share.
R 168 per person for two people. Advanced booking is highly recommended.
Where: Noble Hill Winery - Simondium
Time: -
Cost: R168 pp lunch - R218 picnics.
Contact: 021 874 3844/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2. Jordan - Valentine's Dinner and Treats
Join the Valentines celebration at Jordan all weekend long.
Treat your sweetheart to something sweet at Jordan from the 12-14 February
A selection of fresh summer berry and chocolate petit fours for two and bottle of Chameleon Wine @ R200
A platter of fine South African cheese and charcuterie (meat selection) for two with a bottle of Chameleon Wine @ R200
A decadent 6 course dinner is also held on Valentines Day at Jordan Restaurant with George Jardine.
Your tasting menu will include romantic ingredients such as oysters, crayfish, chocolate and of course, a bunch of roses for the lady and lots of bubbly.
The pampering will start at 18h30. Space is limited, so don’t delay.
Where: Jordan - Stellenbosch M12
Cost: R1200 per couple
Contact: 021 881 3612
3. Rickety Bridge - Romantic Weekend Getaway
Enjoy an intimate Valentine's weekend with a luxurious weekend in the lush surroundings of the Franschhoek valley.Rickety Bridge is offering a Valentine's getaway package which includes one night accommodation in 4 star luxury at the Rickety Bridge Manor House or Basse Provence Country Estate for two people, breakfast included.
A romantic 3 course Sunday Valentine's lunch for two. Come and rediscover all the things you love about your sweetheart at Rickety Bridge.
Or, make a day of it and enjoy the 3 course lunch on Sunday, 13 February.
Start Date: 12th February 2011 End Date: 13th February 2011
Where: Rickety Bridge Winery- Franschoek
Cost: R1350 per couple / Sunday Lunch R200 pp.
Contact: 021 876 2994 / 083 377 4103
4. Morgenhof Estate - Dinner Concert under the Stars
Celebrate Valentine's day under the stars with wine, women and song at Morgenhof Wine Estate.
The dinner concert features popular crooner Pieter Tredoux and versatile pianist Louis Zurnamer. Couples can enjoy a romantic dinner in the beautiful Morgenhof Garden while listening to a selection of love songs from around the world. Dinner is a three course meal accompanied with a glass of wine and includes delicious items such as; oysters, crayfish, fillet of beef and bubbly, ennding with a mouth-watering Vanilla Panacotta.
Where: Morgenhof Estate - Stellenbosch R44
Time: 19:00
Cost: R295 per person
Contact: 021 889 2024/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
5. Du Toits Kloof - Moroccan Valentine's Picnic
Spice up Valentine's day this year at Du Toits Kloof Winery with a Moroccan Valentine's Picnic Affair. Enjoy the live music and picnic basket with a bottle of Du Toitskloof Sparkling Bru.
Where: Du Toits Kloof Winery
Time: 19:00
Cost: R200 per person
Contact: 023 349-1601/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
6. Delvera -Valentine's Sunset Hike
Celebrate this loving day the night before in a very romantic way with your loved one! Enjoy the natural beauty and cool air with a Valentines Moonlight hike at Delvara.
Order a delicious picnic and be active and adventurous by hiking to the top of Klapmutskop to view the sunset. Friends and family welcome too, not just couples! A glass of wine is served at the top of the mountain (bring your own glass).
The marked Vineyard Trail is 9,75km in total and starts from the Trail Centre on Delvera farm and takes you through a Renosterveld Conservancy and Yellowwood forest to the top of Klapmutskop.
Vehicles can also transport you to the half way mark where the singletrack hiking trail starts at the Pepper Tree – this will shorten the route to under 5km in total and it takes about 30 minutes to the top from the Pepper Tree. After the sunset, you will probably be back at your car between 20h45-21h00, depending your walking speed.
Shuttles will start running from around 17h30 from the Trail Centre – hop on after you get your permit & map at the Trail Centre.
It takes roughly one hour to get to the top from the Trail Centre.
Where: Delvera R44, Dirtopia Trail Centre.
Time: Starts at 18:00, arrivals later than 18h30 will miss the sunset.
Cost: R50 pp
Contact: 021 884 4752 /
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
7. Hartenberg - Valentine's wine pairing under the Stars
Enjoy a romantic evening under the stars at Hartenberg this Valentines. The three course menu is delicious summer medley and includes;
Starters, sweet and tangy green salad with crispy chicken pieces, delicious farmer’s cheese, spring vegetables and microgreens.
Mains, there's a choice of beef tenderloin served on a bed of spicy tomato salad or angelfish accompanied by wild rice and asparagus.
Dessert; indulge in chocolate brownies, ice cream or figs with berries and honey mousse.
This heart-warming dinner includes a wine pairing with each course. Extra wine and other beverages can be purchased at cellardoor price. Dinner takes place from 18h30 on Monday, 14 February 2011.
Where: Hartenberg Estate - Bottelary Road off the R304
Time: 18:30
Cost: R280 per person
Contact: 021-865254/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
8. J.C. Le Roux - Chocolate fountain and strawberry delight
See your love bubble over at J.C. Le Roux this valentines with a decadent chocolate fountain, strawberries, marshmallows and Rose! They are sure to uplift your spirit and please the eye with their beautiful hues of pink. The award winning J.C. Le Roux Pinot Noir Rosé Cap Classique has subtle tones of biscuits, nuts and yellow raisins that will bring out the flavour of the strawberries. If pink is your thing and you are looking for the ultimate chocolate treat or a place to celebrate Valentine's day, you can’t afford to give this a miss!
Where: J. C. Le Roux- Stellenbosch, Devon valley
Cost: R200 for group of up to eight people.
Contact: 021 865 8200
9. Backberg - Music and Wine
On the 13th of February Backsberg will be holding a bunch of roses, and a heart-shaped box of chocolates whilst reading romantic poetry off a moonlit balcony. Well, not quite. But we will be having an awesome valentine’s day Sunday.
There will be the usual mouth watering three-course meal with the centre-piece our famous lamb on the spit accompanied by the sounds of Guy Feldman on his acoustic guitar. But as it is a special day for you and your partner we want to offer something else, something to make your day that little bit more memorable. So we also decided to offer tickets to the final one of our picnic concerts. Schalk Joubert will be performing this final gig, and making your valentines day all the more unique.
Where: Backsberg - Paarl
Cost: R500 per couple
Contact: 021 875-5952/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
10. Warwick - Gourmet Sunset Picnic
Warwick is hosting a Valentine's gourmet picnic this year! Picnics start from 17:00 and include a bottle of Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc and a special treat from the Chef. Romantics can also book a special drive through the vineyards and experience the breathtaking views whilst enchanting your loved one with the passionate Wedding Cup story and drinking from the cup, including a glass Warwick Brut and a couple of tantalizing aphrodisiac canapés.
Where: Warwick - Stellenbosch
Time: 17:00 - 23:00
Cost: R375 per couple picnics / R150 vineyard rides
Contact: 021 875-5952/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
11. Constantia Uitsig - Overnight Spa Indulgence
A night’s stay in a Garden Room for two, including a full farm breakfast. A romantic turndown with a bottle of Constantia Uitsig MCC chocolate-dipped strawberries
A two hour Ancient Secrets spa treatment, for two (Consisting of a Sacred Nature Facial, a Kalahari Rolling Sands Massage, Herbal Tea and a Kalahari Bead Bracelet).
Dinner voucher to the value of R400 per couple, redeemable at any of our three award-winning restaurants.
Where: Constantia Uitsig - Cape town
Cost: R3600 per couple
Contact: 021 794 6500/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
12. Mont Destin - Pinotage Bath
Go Cleopatra this Valentine's day. Cape style...
At Mont Destin couples can enjoy a wonderful, relaxing and revitalising Pinotage bath in the middle of the vineyards with all the luxurious extras. Just get yourself undressed!
Keeping to their philosophy of great attention to detail, as well as a fresh, exciting and innovative approach to wine and architecture, Mont DestinWines have created an experience not to be missed. This vino experience involves soaking in a heady mix of Pinotage and warm water, to create an intoxicating and sensual experience. Extras include a bottle of double gold award winning Pinotage and towelling gowns.The Pinotage soak is guaranteed to leave the skin wonderfully soft and silky, to liberate the mind and to make you feel good about yourself and your body.With limited availability, this is truly a steal and a perfect gift for the one you love.
Where: Mont Destin - Stellenbosch R44
Cost: R1500 per couple
Contact: (021) 875 5870.
13. Amani - Bottle for two
Spread the love at Amani where breathtaking views of Table Mountain, the Cape Point and False Bay provide a panorama that is awe inspiring. Come enjoy the wonderful surroundings, relaxed atmosphere and fine wines this Valentines.
Each couple will receive 1 bottle of Amani Sauvignon Blanc wrapped for this special occasion.
Where: Amani - Stellenbosch M12
Contact: 021 881-3930/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
14. Somerbosch - Ice cream and Wine pairing
Treat your loved one to an ice cream and wine pairing this Valentine's day. Somerbosch Wines has recently introduced a new wine tasting experience featuring 4 red wines and our own home made red wine ice cream. Wines include Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage.
The Bistro at Somerbosch will als be hosting a special Valentines Dinner. A delicious assortment of course are available from the set menu,
Starters include: Italian coppa ham with fresh figs and rocket/ Duck springrolls with a reduced soy and orange sauce or prawn and lemon grass skewer.
Mains include:Roast Duck with sweet potato,seasonal vegetables,and nectarines in a port sauce/Kudu kebabs served with new potatoes,vegetables and a reduced berry and balsamic sauce.
Desserts: Baked cheese cake with strawberry compote/ Pineapple and kiwi fruit Carpaccio served with lemon sorbet/ Trio of summer delights
Where: Somerbosch - Stellenbosch R44
Time: 18:30
Cost: Pairing R40 per person
Contact: 021 855 361/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
