With the weather turning warmer, family-owned and run Avondale Wine Estate and FABER restaurant provides the perfect environment to celebrate summer sunsets.
The estate, sitting on the slopes of the Klein Drakenstein mountains outside Paarl, is known for its organic slow natural wines. Both the wines and the restaurant are award-winning.
The estate is known for its sustainable, organic and biodynamic approach, believing in the promotion of all living things. Avondale commits to a healthy, balanced vineyard ecosystem which ensures the premium quality of the wines.
Here’s what’s on:
Avondale Open Garden – October 2022
Avondale Wine Estate’s Open Gardens give visitors the chance to experience their seven beautiful organic gardens, which boast stunning views of the Simonsberg, Paarl Rock, the Klein Drakenstein Mountains and even Table Mountain.
In touring the gardens, you will see historic Cape Dutch buildings as well as indigenous beds of plants, rose gardens and streams. You can watch animals roam about in the free-range environment, and walk through the vegetable gardens that supply the FABER restaurant.
The tickets will be on sale at the door, and the fees paid will be donated to the Avondale Community Organisation – an NPO which provides a creche and playschool for the community’s children.
No dogs or picnic baskets are allowed.
- Where: Starting outside the cellar
- Dates: 22 and 23 October
- Time: 10am to 4pm
- Price: R50 (under 12s free)
For more information contact [email protected] or 021 863 1976.
Spring Art Exhibition
A part of the Avondale Wine Estate, The Winelands Art Gallery exhibits a wide variety of South African art. The art is housed within the Avondale Tasting Gallery and FABER restaurant buildings.
The featured artists include Solly Manthata, Harry Erasmus, Gaynor, Junior Fungai, Nico Le Roux and others.
- Dates: 20 to 31 October
- Time: 8am to 5pm
For more information, contact [email protected] and 082 773 5210 or [email protected] and 021 863 1976.
Carols in the Gardens
Taking place at FABER Restaurant, the estate kicks the festive season off with an evening of carols, musical performance, fun, food and wine. The three-course meal is enjoyed by candlelight.
- Date: Saturday, 3 December
- Time: 6.30pm
- Price: R750 (under 12s R400)
Also read: Enjoy soulful beats with Jazz and Classical Encounters at Spier Wine Farm
FABER Saturday Night Steak Special
Every Saturday evening, the highly acclaimed FABER restaurant offers you a special. Go enjoy a FABER á la carte steak and a glass of Avondale Samsara Syrah.
- Price: R295
Avondale Bike Park
The Avondale Bike Park at the Avondale estate forms part of the new active and outdoor offerings and has the longest flow trail on the continent.
The Avondale Flow Trail starts high up in Echo Valley, with magnificent views of Paarl. You then move through the Rock ‘n Roll section of incredible jumps at a fast-paced ride. Following this is a cruise through the shady section – Pine Lake – before heading into the bouncy terrain of Buchu Bounce.
You end the trip by going through a section filled with wildlife, Puff Adder Alley, and finishing at the End of Eden. The epic Avondale Flow Trail will excite and revive you.
For more information, click here.
Regular and Ongoing Avondale Wine Estate Activities
FABER Restaurant:
This award-winning restaurant has been listed in the top 30 Restaurants in South Africa and has been awarded the Best Garden Restaurant in Africa, the Most Unique Experience in Africa and the Best Restaurant View in South Africa.
The chef, Dale Stevens, and Avondale’s proprietor, Johnathan Grieve, aim to sustain FABER’s farm-to-fork approach, providing guests with delicious food that celebrates nature. FABER focuses on supporting organic, free range and low-carbon producers.
The restaurant is open every week from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch, and Thursday to Saturday for dinner.
Avondale Wine Tasting:
This wine tasting offers an experience of seven extraordinary wines at R130 per person, or four wines at R75 per person.
The tastings are available every day of the week from 10am to 4pm.
Avondale Picnics:
There are six private picnic spots at Avondale, where you can experience beautiful views. You can choose to be seated in the shade of the oak trees, which are next to a stream.
The picnic baskets include delectable treats from FABER restaurant and OCHRA Deli. Booking 48 hours in advance is essential, with the picnics available Saturdays and Sundays.
Picnic basket prices:
- Deluxe Picnic basket for two people: R550 per basket
- Standard Picnic (in a bag) for one: R175 per bag
- Kids Picnic for one: R150 per bag
Avondale Garden Bar:
The Avondale Garden Bar gives you the opportunity to sit in the Avondale Gardens whilst enjoying a glass of wine or gin cocktail accompanied by a cheese platter from OCHRA Deli.
This will be available on Saturday afternoons from 3.30pm to 6pm, from November onwards.
OCHRA Deli:
OCHRA Deli is a wonderful place to purchase nutrient-rich foods that are locally sourced and artisanally made.
The deli is open daily from 9am to 4pm.
Farm Walks:
The farm walks at Avondale Wine Estate are the perfect way to experience the beauty of the estate and Paarl Valley.
The walks are available every Saturday from 9am to 12pm and cost R25 per person.
Eco Wine Safari (seven wines):
The Eco Wine Safari is a unique experience in which you are taken on a journey through the gorgeous Avondale Wine Estate and vineyards. This trip includes a farm tour as well as a wine tasting and is by appointment only.
The safari costs R400 per person.
Cellar Tours (seven wines):
This guided tour takes you through the estate’s wine cellar and provides you with an explanation of their winemaking process. On this tour, you will learn what makes the Avondale Wine Estate so unique.
This tour is by appointment only and costs R150 per person.
Avondale Equestrian ‘Bring and Ride’ Centre:
The out rides at Avondale take place on their 300-hectare estate. The rides give you the chance to explore the rivers, dams, farm roads, vineyard paths, trails and mountain tracks that make up the beautiful estate.
To find out more, or to book any of the activities or events, contact Avondale Wine Estate at [email protected] and 021 863 1976 or FABER Restaurant at [email protected] or 021 202 1219.
Also read:
Be sure to save the date and taste some fine wines at the Franschhoek Uncorked Festival
Picture: Avondale Wine Estate