“OK, kids, in the car. We’re off winetasting.”
Much eye-rolling, followed by one word uttered in unison. “Boring!”
Now rewind.
“Guys, the grownups are planning a wine tasting at Nederburg. You know, where we try a few wines and match them with different foods, and guess what! We’ve planned something very similar for you. You’ll be able to taste different flavoured chocolate milk drinks paired with a selection of cookies. You get to sip and nibble and compare and decide which combo’s the nicest. Just like us. What do you think?”
“Yay, can we go there now?” they ask.
That, according to Jerry Kennedy of Nederburg’s The Manor eatery, “is just one of the many ways we try to make people feel at home when they come to Nederburg. We understand that children need fun activities of their own. So apart from the milk and cookie pairings, we offer cupcake decoration workshops, we arrange picnic boxes with a delicious collection of snacks you’d be happy to see them eating and drinking. And for birthday parties for six or more, we offer party surprise boxes plus a cupcake decoration workshop.”
He says the accent this winter is on indoor activities but weather permitting, “we set the picnics up on the beautiful rolling lawns, under the shade of the plane trees or on our stoep and keep a close eye on everyone.”
There’s also Jenga and a range of lawn games, jungle gyms and a zip-line, tree house, swings and more to keep the children occupied.
Booking, he stresses, is essential. “Covid hasn’t disappeared, so we still apply safety regulations, and we don’t want to disappoint anyone. Just a quick call or visit to our website and it can all be arranged in no time.
“The same applies if you’re planning a family breakfast or lunch. Book and we’ll make sure everyone’s catered for. Kids will be happy to hear that on their menu, chips get a starring role, but they come served with chicken or fish. Yes, there’s mac ‘n cheese too. We know what kids love.”
Menu items start at R65 for children, with the milk and cookie pairings and cupcake decorating priced at R95 each.
For more on The Manor’s winetasting and wine pairing options, including its brand-new “The Brew” coffee-and-wine tasting, as well as for details of its winter menu, and to book, go to www.nederburg.com/the-manor-restaurant.
The Manor opens at 08:30 to 11:30 for breakfast. Lunch is served from 12:30 till 16:00.