Enjoy a leisurely Valentine’s Day in the Winelands this year – the best place to celebrate your love with delightful and romantic things to do. Not only are there amazing indoor dining experiences, but outdoor activities under the stars too.
CEO of Stellenbosch 360, Annemarie Ferns, enthuses, “Visit Stellenbosch and experience the perfect Valentine’s Day this year. The fact that Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday means that it is easier to visit Stellenbosch for a day or better yet, spend the whole weekend in the City of Oaks. See that spending a day or even a weekend in Stellenbosch, with so much on offer, is just not long enough.”

Delheim Picnic. Image courtesy of Delheim
Indoor Dining
Four of the top ten restaurants in the 2014 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards are located in Stellenbosch – Rust en Vrede, Jordan Restaurant, Overture at Hidden Valley Wine Estate and Terroir at Kleine Zalze.
Stellenbosch has no shortage of restaurants and unique food experiences. Visitors will be spoilt for choice when looking to treat their loved ones, but bookings must be made in advance through the restaurants directly:
Peter Falke Wines is hosting a free Valentine’s Day jazz evening from 16h00 to 18h00 with wines available for purchase by the glass, carafe or bottle and a range of salads and cheese platters on offer – www.peterfalkewines.com
Neethlingshof is offering a three-course dinner with bubbly at R295 per person. www.neethlingshof.co.za
Book a four-course meal at Chez Shiraz, Devonvale for R325 per person. www.devonvale.co.za
The Lanzerac has organised a four-course dinner menu for R380 per person, including a welcome drink and gift. www.lanzerac.co.za
JC Le Roux is offering a four-course dinner and live entertainment at R400 per person. www.jcleroux.co.za
Cuvée at Simonsig is hosting a six-course dinner for R520 per person, or R700 per person for a wine paired menu. www.simonsig.co.za/cuvee
A romantic dinner at Eight Restaurant is also an option, indulging on oysters and chocolate truffles whilst relaxing to the tunes of guitarist Keith Tabishler. www.spier.co.za
Have a look at the collection of restaurants to choose from in Stellenbosch at http://www.stellenbosch.travel/dine.

Spier Picnic. Image courtesy of Spier
Dining Under the Stars
Grab a picnic at Spier from Eight to Go and spend some time in the sun on the banks of the Spier dam. The picnic basket is packed with charcuterie and home-baked goodness, including a bottle of Spier’s Signature MCC for R450 per basket. http://picnics.spier.co.za
Book a sunset picnic at the water’s edge at Delheim for R235 per person. The basket includes homemade savoury treats, a duo of chocolate mousse and a complimentary bottle of estate wine. www.delheim.com
At The Bakery at Jordan, picnic on the manicured lawn and indulge in a basket of delicious seasonal foods for R450 a basket. www.thebakery.co.za
Try Something Different
Treat your partner to a Cold Gold artisan ice cream or surprise them with a tub of the best. www.coldgold.co.za
Zee’s Cape Tours are offering a special on their Winelands de Lux Tour for Valentine’s Day comprising of scenic drives, wine tastings, cellar tours and more for just R900 per couple. www.zeescapetours.co.za
Tour Spier’s vineyards and Protea Garden on a Segway. www.spier.co.za
Dirtopia hosts two Valentine’s adventures – the Delvera Hi-Tec Valentine’s Sunset Hike on Friday, 13 February to watch the sunset from Klapmutskop over a picnic, and the Sportsman’s Warehouse Love Run on Saturday, 14 February where everyone is encouraged to wear red and enjoy the morning’s workout. www.dirtopia.co.za
Spend a day at the spa – there are so many to choose from. The Hydro (www.thehydro.co.za), Wedgeview Country House and Spa (www.wedgeview.co.za), Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel & Spa (www.coopmanhuijs.co.za), River Manor Boutique Hotel & Spa (www.rivermanor.co.za), and Evergreen Manor & Spa (www.evergreenmanor.co.za) are to name but a few.
Putt a game of golf together at Stellenbosch Golf Club (www.stellenboschgolfclub.com), Kleine Zalze (www.kleinezalze.co.za), Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate (www.devonvale.co.za) or De Zalze (www.dezalzegolf.com).
Stellenbosch has a thriving creative and retail industry so you can shop till your partner drops at Die Boord Mall, Eikestad Mall, Simonswyk Centre, Stellenbosch Square, Stelmark Square, Stone Village or the Black Horse Centre. iThemba Curios in Market Street is a space that strives to bring hope to previously disadvantaged communities, selling unique arts, crafts and curios made by locals (www.ithembacurios.com). This is a brilliant way to spread the love on Valentine’s Day.
Of course, Stellenbosch is the perfect place to stay and offers an array of different accommodation options from self-catering, to B&B’s and five-star hotels. Visitors can search for their perfect overnight stay at http://www.stellenbosch.travel/stay-us.
Issued by Destinate on behalf of Stellenbosch 360