From vineyard feasts to heritage dining, Taste Stellenbosch turns the Winelands into one very tempting culinary playground — and we kicked things off with lunch at Cavalli Estate.
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If there was ever a time to call yourself a foodie, it’s now.
Taste Stellenbosch is back, running from 1 August to 20 September, turning the Winelands into a seven-week culinary playground. Some of Stellenbosch’s most celebrated chefs, estates and producers come together to create experiences designed especially for the season — seasonal chef’s menus, vineyard feasts, tasting menus, wine pairings, heritage dining and leisurely brunches among them.
The best part? These aren’t experiences you’ll find on the menu at any other time of year — they’re created specifically for Taste Stellenbosch, which makes this a rather delicious excuse to plan a visit.
Give yourself more than a day
Ideally two, or even three — with so much to taste, see and experience, rushing through Stellenbosch would be a shame. The Taste Stellenbosch website also features accommodation partners, so you can turn a foodie adventure into a proper Winelands escape.
Stellenbosch is home to one of the country’s greatest concentrations of award-winning restaurants, visionary chefs, artists, producers and world-class wine — and Taste Stellenbosch is a wonderful way to experience it all.
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First stop: Cavalli Estate
We began our Taste Stellenbosch adventure with a set-menu lunch and wine pairing at Cavalli Estate, and what an introduction it was.
Just a short drive from Stellenbosch along the R44 towards Somerset West, Cavalli feels like somewhere you’ve arrived for an occasion — even if the occasion is simply lunch. Spread across 100 hectares in the prestigious Helderberg region, the estate is a beautiful mix of vineyards, indigenous gardens, manicured equestrian paddocks, art, architecture, and of course, food and wine.
The approach sets the tone: a long, winding driveway flanked by perfectly maintained horse paddocks, opening up to reveal the valley and the Helderberg mountains beyond. The restaurant overlooks a tranquil dam, with sculptures and artworks appearing throughout the estate — creating the feeling that you’re somewhere quite special. And you are.
Cavalli’s experience is the result of three creative forces: owner Lauren Smith, award-winning winemaker Rianni Strydom, and culinary maestro Chef Lucas Carstens. Together, they’ve created an estate where food, wine, art and nature feel beautifully intertwined.
Come hungry
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The restaurant was buzzing when we arrived — always a good sign — and after experiencing the three-course set menu, it’s easy to understand the appeal. There are à la carte options as well as set menus and a Chef’s Menu, with two- and three-course choices available.
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We opted for the three-course menu (R795 per person) and settled in for a wonderfully playful meal. We were welcomed with a little carrot salad and cheese puff — fresh, light, and a lovely introduction to what was to come — followed by sourdough with whipped butter, which deserves a mention all its own. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make you want to ask for just one more piece.
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Fresh, playful and full of flavour
The starter was raw yellowtail with Adro Blanco, salted grapes and cucumber — a beautiful balance of freshness and texture. Air-fried cucumber added an unexpected crunch and a playful quality, while the salted grapes brought little bursts of flavour against the delicate yellowtail. Fresh, light and beautifully balanced.
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The main course followed: springbok with fired miso cabbage and pear furikake. The springbok was cooked to perfection — tender and delicate, with the gentle earthiness and subtle sweetness that makes game such an interesting ingredient. The fired cabbage brought a completely different character to the plate, charred at high heat with smoky, slightly bitter edges, while the miso added richness, saltiness and umami depth. Pear furikake rounded it off with a touch of sweetness and freshness — earthy, savoury, smoky and surprisingly light, all at once. Quite simply, beautiful.
Dessert closed things out with the guava barrita, shortcake and guava sorbet — another little explosion of freshness, delicate and fruity, and almost too pretty to eat.
Almost.
At Cavalli, the food really is part of the art — which brings us neatly to the next part of the experience.
Don’t leave without exploring the art
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Downstairs, Cavalli’s art gallery is a beautifully curated space showcasing local artists through sculpture, painting and mixed-media works. It’s worth taking your time here — the gallery feels considered, forming another layer of the Cavalli experience.
If wine is more your thing, explore the wine-tasting room too — an intimate space for discovering Cavalli’s wines, and depending on the season, the perfect place to escape the Stellenbosch heat or settle beside the fire on a cooler winter’s day. For something a little different, Cavalli also offers a gourmet oyster and wine tasting experience at R320 per person.
What should you order?
The menus change with the seasons, so it’s worth checking the Cavalli website before you visit. With dishes like wagyu brisket and risotto verde appearing among the options, choosing just one course may prove to be the hardest part of your visit.
If you really can’t decide, let the chef do the work for you: the Chef’s Menu is R995 per person, with a wine pairing available for an additional R440, and a vegetarian option available. And whatever you do, don’t leave without trying a glass of Cavalli Chardonnay — particularly if you’re a fan of South African wine.
Make a weekend of it
The beauty of Taste Stellenbosch is that it gives you a reason to slow down and experience the Winelands differently. Don’t simply arrive for lunch and race home — wander through the gardens, look at the art, taste the wine, take the scenic route. Book dinner somewhere else. Stay overnight. Have brunch the next morning.
There’s so much happening across Stellenbosch during these seven weeks that one day simply isn’t enough. Taste Stellenbosch is very much a must, must, must for the foodie calendar this year. So gather your favourite people, book a table, find somewhere beautiful to stay, and come hungry.
Your taste buds will thank you.
For participating establishments, menus, experiences and accommodation options, visit the Taste Stellenbosch website. For Cavalli’s current menus, wine experiences and bookings, visit Cavalli Estate. Prices and menus are subject to change — booking ahead is recommended, particularly during the Taste Stellenbosch campaign.
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