I recently researched romantic restaurants for WINE magazine’s Feb 2011 issue. A Q&A on the contributor’s page asked my thoughts on Valentine’s Day. My response: Not a biggie. I’d rather have a spontaneous experience any day of the year.
Out of the blue Overgaauw winery contacted me and asked if I’d like a “spontaneous Valentine’s Day experience”. Why not? So yesterday we trekked out to this small Stellenbosch Kloof farm with blankets and cushions and spent a delightful summer evening on the lawns and under trees dangling red paper hearts. It’s the third Valentine’s Day the Van Velden family has organised and it’s really popular, with February’s hot weather virtually guaranteeing a great evening under the stars. The deal was R250 for a picnic and a bottle of chilled Sauvignon Blanc.
Supper goodie bags were provided by Food Fanatics, filled with tasty snacky stuff such as chicken liver pate and tapenade, chicken mayo baguette and delicious goats cheese and tomato tartlets. Overgaauw’s 2010 Sauvignon Blanc made a delicious green fig and grassy wine partner.
Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline starred in French Kiss, the movie shown on two big screens in the farm’s spacious gardens. A mobile van sold hot popcorn and candyfloss and a shooting star even sneaked across the sky. I’m not a Hallmark romantic and I opt out of staged Valentine’s evenings in restaurants. But a spontaneous Stellenbosch evening in summer under shooting stars certainly gets my vote.
Overgaauw, Tel 021 881 3815,Overgaauw