Somewhere between the last budget meeting and the first festive playlist, someone in the office gets handed the year-end function. If that someone is you, the good news is that the Cape Winelands is full of places built for long, sociable afternoons. The less good news is that every other office in the Western Cape has had the same idea, and the most popular late-November and December Fridays tend to go first.
Here are three spots worth putting on the shortlist while you still have a choice of dates.
Spice Route Destination, Paarl
Getting a whole team to agree on one activity is a tall order, which is why Spice Route works so well for groups. On the southern slopes of Paarl Mountain, wine, premium beer, charcuterie, spirits, chocolate, and so much more, are all within easy walking distance, so wine lovers, beer drinkers, and sweet tooths can each go their own way and meet up again at lunch.
The tasting passport covers four tastings for R320 per person, while a single-tasting explorer voucher costs R80. Tastings run from 10 am to 4.30 pm and take about 30 minutes each.
For the meal itself, Jewell’s Restaurant is running a year-end pop-up menu into December, designed for the table to share. Expect daily breads and spreads, spit-roasted chicken served family style with a choice of three sides, and a chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo to finish, at R370 per person (excluding drinks and a 12% service fee). Spit-roasted beef and lamb options are also available at R465 and R595 per person respectively. Jewell’s is Halaal friendly, with local produce that is Halaal certified. The restaurant also has various options for kids.
Groups who prefer something more casual can book at La Grapperia Pizza & Bistro instead. Halaal catering is available and a deposit may be required.
Bookings are made through the online year-end form; the restaurant and a year-end facilitator will then be in touch.
Contact 021 863 5200 or info@spiceroute.co.za.
www.spiceroute.co.za/year-end-function-booking
Boschendal, Franschhoek Valley
For a team that would rather kick off its shoes than sit through speeches, a picnic on the Werf lawns at Boschendal is about as relaxed as a year-end gets. Guests can choose between tables and chairs or blankets and lawn chairs, and live music plays on summer weekends between noon and 3 pm.
The festive picnic menu costs R480 per person for a standard or vegetarian basket, or R525 for a premium basket, with vegan and gluten-free options available. You can add a tasting of the 1685 range for R100 per head, though space is limited to 30 guests per slot. Baskets are collected between noon and 2 pm, and the picnic area closes at 4 pm. Bookings must be made 24 hours in advance and paid in full; a 10% gratuity applies to groups of eight or more.
Contact 021 870 4274 or reservations@boschendal.co.za.
Middelvlei, Stellenbosch
Some teams bond best around a fire, and Middelvlei, a family-run farm in the Devon Valley since 1919, has made the braai its speciality. The traditional Boerebraai Experience starts with potbrood and snoek pâté, then moves on to lamb chops, boerewors, chicken sosaties, braaibroodjies, and pampoenkoekies, and costs R320 per person, with a vegetarian version at R250.
Competitive colleagues can try the wine blending experience, a 90-minute session where guests blend their own wine to take home. Sessions can be scheduled at convenient times for groups of ten or more, and the farm opens its doors in the evenings for pre-booked groups of 30 or more. Lunch is served Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 3 pm, and booking is essential.
Contact 021 883 2565 or info@middelvlei.co.za.
Whichever you choose, the best year-end functions are seldom the most elaborate ones. Good food, a view, and enough time to talk to colleagues you only ever see on Teams usually do the trick. Just make the booking before somebody else takes your date.
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