Beautiful Boschendal is one of my favourite estates in the Cape Winelands for so many reasons. Not only are they steeped in rich Cape history but this estate offers it all. Everything from stunning wedding venues, accommodation, outdoor experiences and of course, quality food and wine. Included in the food and wine aspect is Boschendal’s rather famous Werf picnic experience. Their picnics have changed a bit over the years – but quality and food excellence has always remained.
Sustainably Minded Werf Picnics
More to the point, Boschendal is hugely focused on doing right by the planet. For years now, they have been pioneers and champions of sustainable eating. They firmly believe in a no-waste food and soil-to-farm approach.
This eco-friendly farming mindset is evidenced in everything from their organic farm produce (much of which is grown in the Werf food garden), fresh farm eggs, Black Angus beef to forest-reared Duroc pork.
What cannot be sourced or grown on the farm is sourced locally from local farmers and small producers.
Boschendal’s Recycle Journey
For their Werf picnics, they incorporate ethically sourced, seasonal ingredients.
Another thing you will notice about their picnics is the plant-based bioplastic packaging and utensils. These are 100% compostable and biodegradable. For the rest of the packaging, they use wooden picnic crates and reusable glass jars.
After your picnic, either you or the staff sort your leftovers and packaging into the different allocated recycling bins near the picnic marquees.
The materials are then sorted and shredded at their recycling centre. That material is then used for compost. Which, yes, you guessed it: helps to grow the farm vegetables and produce you enjoy at the farm’s eateries and Werf picnics.
Personally, I love supporting any establishment that is sustainably minded. So, in addition to Boschendal’s family- and pet-friendly ways, this is another huge drawcard to the estate for me.
Returning for a Boschendal Picnic Years Later
Back in 2014, we visited for Boschendal’s Werf picnic experience and I adored it. It was my first introduction to great picnics in the Cape Winelands.
In truth, it kickstarted a love affair with good, healthy food for me.
Keeping Things Consistently Good
Although their picnic experience, baskets and picnic spread have since changed – in 2022, some things are the same. Firstly, the impeccable, professional and friendly service from the estate staff remains a given.
The picnic venue itself, the Pavilion Lawn – with its white garden gazebo, majestic mountain- and estate-views, vast towering trees and wrought-iron tables and chairs – also remains largely unchanged.
That’s one thing I also love about Boschendal: as much as things change and improve, they retain their history and charm.
More about Boschendal’s Werf Picnic Experience
With the main farm attractions (including the Trail Centre and kiddies’ Tree House Playground and Pump Track), shops and eateries close by, the picnic venue is well-situated.
As you enter the estate and turn left, driving down the long, tree-lined drive, you see the Pavilion Lawns to your left.
This vast expanse of lawn ensures that even on the busiest day, guests are spread out and enjoy privacy during their picnic experience.
When booking online through Dineplan, guests can choose between (limited) table and chair seating or picnic blankets and lawn chair options.
In my two picnic visits, I have tried both seating options and they are equally enjoyable.
The tables feel better for more formal gatherings of friends and loved ones, while the blankets and lawn seating offers a comfortable, yet relaxed picnic experience.
You can also bring your own blankets and chairs but this is really not necessary. What is provided is more than comfortable enough.
For added fun, enjoy the provided lawn games or take the kiddies to the nearby jungle gym for some climbing adventure.
Note on Visiting with Kids
If you are visiting with small children, please just be advised there is a small dam near the pergola. Please keep an eye on them to ensure their safety.
Additionally, if your kiddies want to visit the Tree House Playground and Pump Track, children ages 5-14 years can only play there under parental supervision.
While Boschendal’s summer picnics are seasonal and weather-dependent, guests usually enjoy months of beautiful picnics at this stunning estate.
If, however, there is rain on the day – you can either move your booking to an alternate date or enjoy your picnic basket as a takeaway.
Werf Picnic Pricing and Options
Current pricing for the summer standard and vegetarian baskets is available here on the estate website. But picnics are well-priced and certainly filling, even if you book a basket for one as I did on my second visit.
If you have any additional dietary requirements, please notify the estate in advance when booking your picnic. Vegan picnic options are available on request.
As the picnics are seasonal, their menu may change from one season to the next. For the purpose of this review, I am sharing the menu at the time of my visit.
Baskets for Two Sharing, One Person or Kiddies
Please note: Pricing is for standard picnics; this excludes special occasion menus and events. Also, a gratuity of 10% is added to the total bill for the waitrons.
Otherwise, you can book a basket for one person, for two sharing or a kiddies’ basket (suitable for ages 3-10 years).
Often, like during Easter, the estate has special live music performances. When I visited, as part of their March Plum festivities, there was live music on the day from 13:00 pm. This adds a soothing, nice touch to the experience.
How It Works on the Day
As far as I know, bookings are only successful once payment has been made in full. For this reason, I recommend paying online when you book.
Bookings must be made 24 hours in advance. However, you can contact them telephonically to enquire about on-the-day bookings.
Seasonal picnics are available Thursday to Friday – and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (with live music).
For drinks (which are not included in the picnic price), you can pay as and when ordering them or after your picnic when you return your picnic crate.
Picnics can be collected from 12:00 pm – 14:00 pm on the day and the picnic area closes at 17:00 pm. Also, picnics are only ready for collection at the time of your booking.
Because I had booked a horse ride for 14:00 pm, I opted for the 12:00 pm slot. Upon arrival at the marquees, you will see there are two sections: one for the wine and cool drinks and another separate coffee stand.
After signing in at the main marquee, you choose a picnic spot. Once you are settled down, the waitrons come to take your drinks orders and check when you would like your picnic. They will bring your basket and drinks out to you.
Ordering Drinks on the Day
However, you can also order and collect additional drinks throughout your experience.
You can order everything from the estate’s beautiful wines and MCC to local brews, soft drinks and an array of coffee and hot beverages too.
Please note: Boschendal is a cashless farm.
In terms of the provided blankets and chairs, you may leave those at the picnic spot. Staff will collect and clear up later. Otherwise, please ensure you clean up your picnic spot and return your picnic crate as needed.
My Werf Picnic Spread
- Farm baked baguette, garden herb pesto and butter; (the baguette (9/10) was excellent but the pesto (7/10) was a bit sharp for me)
- Werf garden salad, shaved parmesan and garden herb vinaigrette; (this salad (9/10) was so fresh and lovely; really enjoyed it with my baguette)
- Roast beets and fennel salad, orange dressing, soy and cumin seeds; (this was pleasantly good; 8/10)
- Potato, mustard and spring onion salad; (always love a good potato salad and this was a tasty take on it, 9/10)
- Angus beef and Duroc pork meatballs with hummus; (this was my least favourite; the meatballs were good but something about this dish was too much for me, 5/10)
- Angus beef and sesame seeds salad; (this had a bit of an Asian stir fry feel to it and I enjoyed it, 7/10; the beef is incredible (9/10);
- Boschendal butchery Angus beef pastrami; (this was arguably one of my favourites in the picnic; so good! 9.5/10)
- Dalewood camembert and onion marmalade; (I loved both of these; 9.5/10)
- Strawberry crumble slice; (this was an excellent dessert and as a crumble fan, it had my heart, 10/10)
How My Picnic Rated
Overall, my picnic food spread was a solid 8.5/10. I really enjoyed it overall and found it to be hugely filling and great value for money but not everything was to my personal taste.
In terms of my picnic experience overall, with everything from the setting, service and food experience considered, Boschendal’s Werf picnic experience is an easy 9/10 rating for me.
The food, service and drinks array impressed me – and the setting is faultless. Perfect for a relaxed, yet classy picnic with friends, family and by the looks of it, well-behaved, leashed pooches too. 🙂
Thank you to Boschendal for providing guests with such a fun, lovely and eco-friendly picnic offering. I can definitely recommend it!
Contact Information
For more information on Boschendal and its amazing Werf picnics, please contact: +27 (021) 870 4273 or email them at: reservations@boschendal.co.za.
You can also visit their website or find them for yourself at Boschendal Wine Estate, Main Road, Pniel, Groot Drakenstein, Western Cape, South Africa.
Boschendal is also on all leading social media platforms, so be sure to connect with and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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