Inside Spier’s new look Picnickery
Created in collaboration with celebrated designer, chef and restaurateur Jacques Erasmus and brought to life by chef Hennie Nel, the Spier Picnickery has evolved beyond a traditional picnic collection point into a working farm kitchen, artisan grocer and welcoming gathering space where visitors can experience the rhythms of the farm first-hand.
Shelves are stocked with farm-grown produce, small-batch pantry goods, preserves, honey, and olive oil, while the open kitchen brings guests closer to the food itself. Depending on the season, visitors may find roosterkoek blistering over the fire, soups gently simmering or fresh preserves being prepared, creating a space that feels active and alive rather than simply retail.
The menu changes with the seasons but centres on food that is simple, generous and designed for sharing. The new convenient offering allows guests to assemble their own lunch to enjoy along the banks of the Eerste River or any of the beautiful open spaces on the Werf.
Guests can pre-book one of Spier's curated picnic baskets with the new summer menu available from September or create their own from the deli counter, selecting from homemade pies, comforting soups and stews in winter from the fire zone, toasted and fresh sandwiches from the sandwich bar, seasonal salads and fruit, charcuterie, pâtés and mezze served with artisanal bread, and an irresistible selection of sweet treats and bakes.
The restored historic space, with whitewashed walls, exposed timber beams, terracotta floors, handcrafted shelving and tiles, wicker baskets, and an open fireplace, creates an atmosphere that feels warm, relaxed and unmistakably Cape winelands. The unframed ice cream cart with hand-painted tiles iconography adds a fun element to summers on the Werf.
Like the farm itself, the Picnickery shifts with the seasons. In winter, the fire becomes the heart of the room, while in summer the stoep opens onto the werf, inviting visitors to linger over coffee, ice cream or a glass of Spier wine.
For bookings contact werf@spier.co.za or visit www.spier.co.za/food/picnics/
