The festive season attractions at the Estate in Somerset West include live music, exhibitions, locally brewed craft beer and award winning wines. There are guided hikes through the mountainous terrain and a twilight trail run for the more adventurous.
The Lourensford Christmas Market from 2 – 4 December sees the space transformed into an enchanted woodlands forest lit with fairy lights. Spend the evening foraging for that perfect Christmas gift, while enjoying delicious eats and drinks. There are art and photography exhibitions and a lineup of live music, featuring Lize Mynhardt on 2 December, Lonesome Dave Ferguson on 3 December and Edu Henn on 4 December.
The Young Entrepreneurs Mini Market sees Young Entrepreneurs selling handcrafted Christmas gifts in the courtyard on Sunday 4 December.
The kids’ entertainment area includes a jumping castle and jungle gyms, so relax with the family in the main market seating area or bring a blanket for a spot on the lawn next to the fountain, surrounded by the estate’s beautiful gardens.
The Lourensford Twilight Run on December 16 (a public holiday) covers 18km or 8km of the Estate, while those looking for something a little a less challenging can take part in a 3km Fun Run. There are medals up for grabs for podium winners, with lucky draws and spot prizes for pre-entries. Runners can mosey over to the Twilight Market for some well-deserved post-run rewards.
The guided 3-hour hike requires a medium level of fitness and agility, but promises unforgetable views over False Bay and the Hottentot Holland and Helderberg mountain ranges. Book through alistair@saladcrop.co.za or 083 400 4451.
Along with the Estates usual tastings on their wines they also offer a unique pairing with Turkish delight, the pairing being designed for the wines to perfectly match these delicious morsels. Pairings include their MCC Brut, MCC Rosé, the Limited Release Chardonnay and their Honey Liqueur. Each wine pairs with a different flavoured Turkish Delight to create for a truly unique (and delightful) taste exploration at R55pp.
To continue the unique and delicious tasting pairings you are able to sample a selection of premium Lourensford Wines with chocolate variations. The pairings, at R65pp, include the Winemaker’s Selection Viognier paired with white stone fruit chocolate, Lourensford Estate Merlot with dark kirsch cherry chocolate, Lourensford Limited Release SMV with dark Cape Malay chocolate and their Honey Liqueur with a mint chocolate.
The Tasting Room is open daily from 9am – 5pm (closed on 25 December).
If all of this isn’t enough you are still able to dine at the delicious Millhouse Kitchen Restaurant, sip on a freshly roasted coffee at their onsite roastery or peruse the art gallery. The farm hosts weekend markets, as well as cycling and trail-running events.
Visit the website for more info, or see what they’re getting up to on Facebook, Twitter (@lourensford) and Instagram (@lourensford).