Markets in the winelands

A round-up of some of the best markets in the Cape winelands.

Blaauwklippen Family Market, Stellenbosch
Sundays, 10am to 3pm
www.blaauwklippen.com

Families are welcome! Expect arts, crafts, food and a chance to pet the farm animals. Buy something to eat and drink (no BYO) and relax on the lawns with a picnic blanket while listening to live music.

Groote Post Country Market, Darling
Last Sunday of every month, 10am to 3pm
www.grootepost.com

Expect artisan foods, arts and crafts, home ware and décor, live entertainment and lots of fun activities for kids. The Groote Post Rosé is made exclusively for the farm’s monthly market visitors.

Lourensford Harvest Market, Somerset West
Sundays, 10am to 5pm
www.lourensford.co.za

One of the winelands’ newer markets, launched in October 2014. Fill your basket with local produce and bespoke crafts, buy a picnic and let the kids to enjoy the lawns.

Market at Val de Vie, Paarl
One Sunday every month (see website for schedule), 10am to 3pm
www.valdevie.co.za/events/market.html

Find fresh regional produce and home-made fare, ranging from oysters, pies and gourmet delicacies to decadent sweet treats, as well as crafted gifts. But the highlight is the polo game that coincides with every market day.

Noordhoek Community Market, Cape Point Vineyards
Thursdays, 4:30pm to 8:30pm
www.cpv.co.za/community-market

On the lawns overlooking the dam and vineyards, you’ll discover scrumptious food from the likes of The Food Barn, Kitchen Cowboys and Cooked at this small but vibrant market.

Riebeek West Funky Fresh Market, Riebeek West
First Saturday of everything month, 9am to 1pm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Riebeek-West-Funky-Fresh-Market/101544133256920

Held in the town’s main road, this small but authentic market has been going strong for 14 years. Food is the focus – the olives in particular are worth the effort.

Root 44 Market, Audacia, Stellenbosch
Every Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm
www.root44.co.za

A sprawling market with loads on offer, all in Downing marquees so the weather is never an issue. Plenty of food vendors, as well as homeware, clothing and craft traders. Live music too.

Stellenbosch Slow Market, Oude Libertas
Saturdays, 9am to 2pm
www.slowmarket.co.za

Founded as part of the Slow Food movement. An especially wide range of food stalls with scrummy goodies to take home and eat there. Clothing, jewelry and crafts, too. Bedouin tents are erected when it rains, but things can become a little crowded.

Windmeul Farmers Market, Wellington
See website for dates, but generally the first Saturday of every month, 8am to 12:30pm
www.windmeulwinery.co.za

Organic veggies and meats and a host of other farm-fresh items, include eggs and olive oils to fill your grocery basket.

• Emma Odendaal was deputy editor of Wine magazine and managing editor of Getaway and is now doing cool stuff at Fresh Living. She contributes to various food and travel publications.