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.

Asparagus, jasmine and honey - a tropical fruit  explosion - guava,  paw-paw
and pineapple, an essence of lime, flashes of green apple, melon and figs. You’d be forgiven if you thought this article was about Stanford’s fabulous foodies, but no…this is to proudly announce the launch of the STANFORD WINE ROUTE by the local monthly newspaper, Stanford River Talk.

Editor Michelle Hardie says “Stanford and surrounds is one of  the new, exciting cool climate wine regions, recently winning seven of  the 20 awards in the SA Terroir Wine Awards. Our maritime climate ensures that we produce elegant wines with great ageing potential from slow- growing vines that give our wines a unique character.” A great 6 page wine route map has been created, and is available in the December edition of Stanford River Talk. Contact 087 80 86 221 Cell: 079 291 1588 - they also offer great advertising rates!

Driving between Hermanus and Stanford, the award-winning boutique winery, Misty Mountains, produces handcrafted wines that have earned prestigious Veritas awards. Their  Sauvignon Blancs have been consistent winners of Veritas awards, and the 2008   Santam Classis Trophy.

Stanford Hills produces the Jacksons range of hand-crafted wines. Set amongst fields of fynbos, the vineyards produce a range comprising a Pinotage,  a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay, with the first harvest of Shiraz expected in 2011.

The majestic Sir Robert Stanford Estate replanted the vines producing the noble white and red varietals, such as Sauvingon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, which had been removed in 1935, after producing wine since the 1890’s.

Springfontein Estate is a mere six kilometres from the village centre on the Wortelgat road. The 25 hectares of  vineyards are planted on 100% limestone soils, with proximity to the  cool Atlantic Ocean, making  wines of elegance and purity.

The Dreyer family of Raka Wines believe that the awards they receive for their wines are due to those in the background who nurture the vines at Raka. Pinotage, Spliced, Quinary, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Biography Shiraz, Figurehead;  all award-winning superb wines.

Brunia Wines are situated 20 kilometres from Stanford, adjacent to the Salmonsdam nature reserve. The gentle slopes and granite-eroded soils makes good use of the terroir and ensures quality grapes.  Their maiden vintage Sauvignon Blanc 09  has received a silver VERITAS award.

Ficky De Villiers, of Boschrivier Wine Estate, had a dream to create his own wine.  He was the first in the Akkedisberg Valley to plant vines. Today he produces wine which has hold a position in the top 10 Shiraz wines in the country for the past two years.

Walker Bay Vineyards is under 17 hectares of Sauvingnon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Birkenhead Estate started planting vines in 2003 to complement the Brewery, and plan to install winemaking equipment soon.