GENERAL INFORMATION

RESTAURANTS:

Die Jonkershuis - Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner - Offering a traditional Cape Malay buffet, which includes soup, farm breads, cold dishes, salads, stews, curries, Malay specialities, Cape Cheeses an hot and cold desserts. You can enjoy your meal inside the 150-year-old Jonkershuis or out on the oak shaded terrace, which is the favoured summer venue. Private functions for a minimum of 30 people can be arranged.

The Taphuis Grill - Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner -The riverside informal restaurant has a uniquely festive atmosphere and offers a wide variety of good foods, including steaks; fish and pasta dishes, all served with a magnificent view. This is a wonderfully casual place for families to relax, with a special kiddies menu to offer. Private functions for a minimum of 30 people can be arranged.

The Riverside Pub - Open Daily Summer 10h00 to 21h00; Winter - 10h00 to 17h00 - Situated next to the Taphuis, the Riverside Pub is the ideal place for a pre-dinner drink or a light meal in summer. The pub has a unique cocktail menu and big screen TV broadcasting all the major events.

Figaro's in the village - Open Daily for Breakfast and Dinner - The restaurant is situated adjacent to the reception area of the hotel and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding Helderberg Mountains.

Toto's in the village - Open Daily from 11.00 to 23.00 - Toto's Bar is situated adjacent to Figaro's. Open 7 days a week for drinks and cocktails or for tasty light meals for the not so hungry.

Lakeside Picnics - Open Daily, and during festivals - You can enjoy a Spier Farm stall Picnic around the lake, under the shady trees or at rustic wooden benches on the banks of the Eerste River. There are various types of Baskets to offer as well as a Kiddies basket.

The Spier Farmstall and Coffee Shop - Open Daily and during festivals - The Spier Farm stall has a Bakery and Delicatessen to cater for those who prefer to make up their own picnic baskets or snacks. There is a vast selection of delectable goodies on offer, with disposable plates and cutlery on hand. The Coffee Shop offers a selection of pastries, sandwiches and light meals throughout the day.

DAY ACTIVITIES:

Equestrian Centre - Open Daily 9.00 to 17.00 Pony and Cart Rides - 11h00 to 16h00 - weekends, public holiday and during peak season. Horses, ponies and cart rides provide entertainment and rides for you at Spier. Riding enthusiasts may prefer a Trail Ride, while children can enjoy ponies and cart rides under supervision on the lawns of the Estate. The Spier Wedding Carriage, with two horses, driver and foot groom can turn a wedding into a fairytale occasion.

The Cheetah Park - Open Daily: 9.00 to 17.00 - Spier has made land available to a group of hand raised cheetahs in the care of the Cheetah Outreach Programme. Enjoy a personal encounter with the two adults and their three offspring's born in September 1997. Entrance donations help fund the cheetah Outreach Programme. The Cheetahs can also be booked for private functions.

OTHER FACILITIES

The Spier Vintage Train - Open Daily: 9.00 to 17.00 - You can take a leisurely trip from the Spier Monument Station in the luxury of Spier's renovated carriages dating back to the 1950's.

Spier Festivals - November to March - From November to March each year, a host of African and international stars will perform as part of Spier's annual Festival. All performances take place in Spier's open-air amphitheatre with jazz, opera, comedy, dance and classical concerts. Past Festivals have included David Helfgott, Abdullah Ibrahim, Tosca, La Bohemen and Salome.

The Spier Cellars - Open Daily: 9.00 to 17.00 - An official member of the Stellenbosch Wine Route - its home of Spier's own range of wines produced by Spier Winemaker Frans Smit. Cellar Tours can be organised on weekdays only.

RETAIL OUTLETS

The Wine Centre - Open Daily 9.00 to 17h00 with wine tasting offered 10.00 to 16.00 - The Wine shop is housed in a magnificent original Dutch gabled barn dating to 1750 and features over 200 local and 30 international wine estates. You can taste and purchase some of South Africa's most famous wines, as well as Spier's own range of wines. Tastings are done in English, Afrikaans and German. Private tastings can be arranged.

The Spier Shop - Open Daily from 9.00 to 17.00 - The shop offers collectables ranging from lavender and herb filled sachets to exquisitely smocked children's dresses, antique crockery, glass and silver, ethnic African beadwork and old Cape furniture.

Daneel Diamonds at Spier - Open Daily: Mon to Sun 10.00 to 17.00 - Located at the Spier Manor House, this is the ideal place to purchase diamonds and Diamond jewellery from Daneel Diamond Manufacturers. Quality diamonds and award-winning jewellery, direct from the factory,can be bought at the boutique. The diamonds are polished in Stellenbosch and Spier guests are welcome to arrange a visit at the factory.

Cape Tapestry Weavers - Operating times: Mon to Sat 8.30 to 17.00; Sun 10.00 to 17.00 - At 'Cape Tapestry Weavers' the ancient art of hand weaving has been revived and finds an innovative and exceptional form of expression. The studio maintains a collection of designs that its weavers are free to use as guides for their work. (Patrons are also offered the option of commissioning a tapestry to be custom made). Each tapestry is truly unique, woven sometimes in limited editions and each weaver is free to interpret the design as she sees fit.