The first frenetic month of the year is behind us and as we ease into the lovely loving lovable month of February, our thoughts turn to romance.  Valentine’s Day is just one week away and its time to bring THE PLAN into action. As Gary the tooth fairy would say…..”Get that girl” (or boy)

Stanford is the perfect place to woo the love of your life. This delightful Victorian village is surrounded by verdant vineyards, and here there is no need for Hallmark and red roses; the local hosts have a plan for even the most uninspired amongst us.

Stretch the celebration over the entire weekend and then some! Start on Saturday morning with  breakfast and the best coffee outside Italy at GRAZE. Drive over to Mosaic Farm on the edge of the lagoon for their Valentine’s market and indulge in local wines and local produce. Head back to the village to freshen up before taking the beautiful scenic drive out to Brunia Wine Estate where you will be greeted with a glass of bubbly before sitting down in the most evocative of settings to enjoy the 3 course dinner, with dancing to follow.

Wake up on Sunday morning and meander up to the Art Cafe for the  champagne breakfast. Snuffle around the antique shopes before you head off for a horse ride on the pristine beach at the Plaat, enjoy mid-morning coffee and   scrumptious chocolate cake at Coffee on the Rocks, book a picnic lunch at Klein River Dairy farm and watch the river glide lazily by.

Monday is the DAY, so make sure you have the poetry book tucked under the pillow, the soft songs loaded on the i-pod and the booking made at Villa di Baia for champagne cocktails on the Sundowner Terrace before enjoying  the elegant 4 course meal prepared by the resident lady chef.

If this doesn’t clinch the deal, maybe it just wasn’t meant to be!

With just 40 days to the start of the eagerly awaited  Soccer World Cup and the arrival of plane loads of frenzied fans, the locals in Stanford have come up with their own solution to home grown hospitality. The Village has an impressive collection of talented chefs, artists, wine makers, bakers and warm wonderful people who are pulling out the stops to ensure that visitors, both local and from abroad,  experience the warmth of the Overberg.

The renowned country restaurant, Marianas, is offering cooking workshops  and her foodie fans will be delighted to hear that she will be open for Friday evening meals during June, with a special menu showcasing local produce.

Mosaic Farm invites their guests to indulge in a weekend of  ‘Slow Food and  Good Wine’ at the Spookhuis.

If you’re still hungry for culinary knowledge, you can join a cooking demo at Blue Gum Country Estate’s “Ready Steady Cook” while Dad and the children head into the outdoors on a nature exploration.

Children will be entertained while their parents enjoy their time out - adventure camps, playgroups, soccer tournaments on the village green, horse cart rides and a ‘Kidz Kamp’ on a nearby farm have been arranged to keep them happily and safely occupied.

There will be no excuse for feeling frazzled, or not being well groomed. Lots of specials are on offer at the spa, and Moms and the teenagers will be indulged and pampered.

The local pub will have live music and a cabaret show in the evenings and a foot-stomping, good ol’ fashioned Barn dance will be hosted by Stanford Hills Wine Estate. The regular Evening Market will ensure that guests sample the delicious local produce. Galashiels Lodge will share the secrets of the Scottish tipple at a Whisky tasting evening. For a touch of refinement, a traditional English High tea is also on the cards.

Our close neighbour in Baardskeerdersbos, renowned artist Niel Jonker will be sharing his bread-making secrets at the 2 day “Sourdough Experience”

Great specials are on offer for accommodation, so don’t let that long winter holiday get you down. The village of Stanford is warm and inviting, any time of year.

Stanford welcomes a new chef into their embracing arms; Craig Andersson has recently been appointed to the stately restaurant and manor house, 1892 Stanford Spookhuis at Mosaic Farm. Craig will take on the role as their new executive chef cuisinier. After spending some years in fine dining restaurants in Ireland, he fine tuned his skills at Spier.  He is passionate about making use of the local produce, and what can’t be harvested from the organic kitchen garden, is sourced from Hermanus, or from the boats at Gansbaai Harbour. ”Out here in the country, people savour our food and relish their time; it almost feels like the mountain is protecting us from the harsh reality of life out there. My philosophy: KISS! Keep It Simply Scrumptious.”
As a tribute to the owners, Kathryn and Breese Johnson, who hail from Jack Daniels country, Tennessee, Craig has created a homemade chicken liver pâté infused with Jack Daniels.  And on Saturday August 15 at 6:30 PM, he will be showcasing his Southern inspired food at a whiskey and food pairing  event at Mosaic Farm hosted by Joffy Senekal.