Summer days are best spent outdoors, preferably in the Cape with no time limit. There is no greater destination that ticks all the boxes than Hazendal Wine Estate. Visiting the famed Cape Winelands landmark is more than just a day out, it’s an experience. From the beer garden to the interactive Wonderdal Edutainment Centre, there is fun for the whole family at Hazendal.
We’ve cherry-picked the best activities available:
Wonderdal
There is nothing quite like it in South Africa. A world of wonder and whimsy awaits you at Wonderdal. The Edutainment Centre is a one of a kind, state-of-the-art educational play experience for children aged 5 to 13. Combining advanced technology with physical elements, Wonderdal offers an innovative indoor space and a creative outdoor play area kids will love. Their interactive activities are designed to stimulate imagination, creativity and curiosity as well as build on fine motor skills, critical thinking and comprehension.
Learning zones include the Tinker Workshop, where learners can experiment with different kinds of energy and engage in tinkering activities such as building electrical circuits and designing marble runs. The Wildlands is where learners can participate in thrilling physical activities. Parents can enjoy breakfast or lunch on the property knowing that their child is thoroughly entertained in a secure area.
Wonderdal is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am-7pm during the school holidays (last play session starts at 5pm/last admissions at 5pm). Please note that Wonderdal closes at 5pm on Sundays (last play session starts at 3pm/last admissions at 3pm). Prices range from R160-190 per child, and bookings can be made HERE.
Pivnushka Beer Garden
There are few things more refreshing than an icy cold beer on a hot day and the perfect spot to indulge in one is at Hazendal’s Pivnushka Beer Garden. The garden, situated in the newly renovated historical Kraal, is the ideal spot to unwind with family and friends. The view of the rolling Stellenbosch Winelands doesn’t hurt either.
Choose from a selection of the finest local craft beers and ciders, or wines from Hazendal’s cellar and an array of virgin cocktails. Their unique open-fire cooking menu offers traditional pub fare with a twist, incorporating contemporary Russian and South African influence. Tuck into their seafood plov, a fragrant rice dish with sustainable seafood cooked in a cream-based beer sauce with fire grilled Babushka artisan bread, or their Panzanella salad for something light.
Operating hours are as follows: Tues-Thurs 5pm-9:30pm (kitchen closes at 9pm); Fri-Sat 12am-8pm (kitchen closes at 7pm); Sun 11am-5pm (kitchen closes at 4pm). Bookings are essential. To secure your place, email [email protected] or call 021 205 5620.
MTB Park
The adventurous will love the MTB Park, where riders can show off their skills on several track options like a pump track, flow rail, skills trail, a Fynbos timber trail made from recycled wooden pallets and the “Snail trail”, specifically designed to test riders’ steering and balancing abilities.
The park is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 8am-5pm (hours could be weather dependent) and costs R50 per person for a day permit. Non-riding family members accompanying a rider get free entrance, while visitors not accompanying a rider pay a R10 entrance.
Babushka Deli
A deli with a Russian twist. At Babushka, Chef Michélle Theron brings together traditional South African home-cooking with Russian food fare babushkas are known and loved for. Produce used at the deli are sourced directly from local vendors using organic and sustainable farming practices, meaning you can feel good about the food you eat. Sit down for a delicious feast paired with the estate’s wines and local craft drinks or simply grab a freshly-baked pastry and go. There is even a special menu for your tots. If you want an alfresco experience, opt for a Babushka picnic basket on the sprawling lawns.
The deli is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8am – 5pm and Sundays from 8am – 3.30pm. No bookings are required, but you are welcome to secure your table. Reservations for groups larger than 8 require a deposit. Pre-booking for picnics a day before is essential. A full payment is required in advance. Make your booking by emailing [email protected] or call 021 205 5620.
Wine Tasting Lounge
As one of Stellenbosch’s oldest wine-producing farms, Hazendal’s wine tasting lounge is a dream for wine lovers. Their tastings are held in the estate’s original cellar that dates all the way back to 1870, a space revamped to blend traditional and contemporary design. It creates the perfect backdrop for the wine-tasting experience. Sip on their premium, award-winning wines while their Tasting Ambassadors impart their vast knowledge on all things wine.
Tasting options include:
- The Christoffel Hazenwinkel Range Tasting: R35 for the 3 wines.
- The Hazendal Range Tasting: R65 for our 3 premium white wines.
- The Grand Tasting: R90 for all 6 wines.
The wine tasting lounge is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am to 5pm.
Picture: supplied
