Winelands family entertainment all summer long
Bellissima! Swiss owned Stellenbosch Estate, Eikendal, eases into summer with a sizzling new Pizza & Wine Pairing experience that will cater for lip-smacking action in its tasting room all season long.
From 1 November, enthusiasts can make their way to this popular Winelands hotspot, conveniently situated between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, to tuck into a trio of bite-size pizzas, each masterfully paired with a matching estate wine. Eikendal is renowned for its elegant wines of great fruit purity and finesse and with these mouth-watering delights they guarantee a unique sensory symphony.
Freshly prepared by the resident Cucina di Giovanni restaurant, which is celebrated for its Italian fare with a sumptuous twist, these mini, thin-crusted pizza pleasures perk up any palate – albeit a meaty or vegetarian one.
The meat option kicks off with a zingy Chicken & Pineapple combo matched with the newly released Eikendal Sauvignon Blanc 2015 for a sun kissed mouthfeel and lingering sweetness on the palate. The tropical notes of the Sauvignon Blanc complement the sweet and sour notes exceptionally well.
Next up is an earthy Ham & Mushroom pizza married with the estate’s unwooded Chardonnay, Janina 2014 which matches the umami nuances to a tee.
Lastly the vibrant Eikendal Merlot Rosé 2015 with its bright, fresh floral and fruity taste profile, teams up with a Brie & Cranberry pizza to end your tasting on a light and refreshing note.
Vegetarians are also treated to a tantalising trio which starts with a Peppers & Pineapple pizza paired with the crisp Eikendal Sauvignon Blanc 2015, with the pineapple enhancing the tropical fruit notes and the peppers lifting the green freshness of the wine.
The unwooded Chardonnay, Janina 2014, then works its magic with a Mushroom & Olives duo with the flavours of the pizza highlighting the earthy undertones of the wine.
The veggie tasting also ends on a fruity and fresh high with the exuberant Eikendal Merlot Rosé 2015, paired with the Brie & Cranberry pizza.
“Wine with pizza is like beer with fish and chips…it is just meant to be. With these summer taste sensations we invite visitors to come and linger a little longer in our tasting room with these laid-back tastings. Or why not make a day of it and join a cool crowd on the lawn at the water’s edge,” shares Eikendal winemaker Nico Grobler.
“Our new Pizza & Wine Pairings are perfect for a midday pick-me-up palate pleaser or when you need to discuss a business idea or get that contract signed over a quick bite or two,” adds Nico.
Mom and Dad also don’t have to succumb to off-loading the kids at the grandparents to stay sane during the festive season, as Eikendal can keep them busy with a fun grape juice tasting, festooned with sweets and wildlife images to colour in, courtesy of the Cheetah Outreach. Or they can monkey around in the jungle gym on the spacious lawn area.
From the exceptional to the exhilarating, Eikendal offers a myriad of family-friendly attractions as a popular one-stop Winelands destination. Leisure activities range from wine tastings and languid lunches to wildlife viewing and cellar tours. Outdoor fanatics can get hooked on fly fishing at glistening dams or set foot for a fynbos hike before settling in for a cosy sleepover at the charming Eikendal Lodge, where quality meets tranquillity.
The Eikendal Pizza & Wine Pairings are on offer from Tuesdays to Sundays, between 12h00 and 16h00 and cost R40 per person, whilst the kids’ juice tasting costs R20 per child. Pre-bookings for the pairings are essential as daily orders are limited. Also note that there is a 20 minute waiting period as the pizzas are freshly prepared.
To book for this pairing experience contact Eikendal at Tel: 021 855 1422 or send an email to [email protected]. Cucina di Giovanni @ Eikendal is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays and for lunch only on Sundays. Tel: 021 855 5033 or email [email protected] for restaurant bookings.
