Spier Werf Market

The wine farm that understands sustainability presents the Spier Werf Market, complete with lots of artisanal everything. Hosted under ancient oaks on Spier's newly-restored historic farmyard every Saturday, this new weekly farmers' market is all about making living better a whole lot easier.

If phrases like 'organic', 'local', 'seasonal' and 'homemade' tickle your fancy, you've probably tried your hand at some form of urban farming. You ambitiously planted herbs and dutifully watered them while dreaming of fresh homegrown salads, jars of pesto and giving bunches to friends. Instead, your efforts often yield just enough to garnish. You've probably wanted to ferment things, make your own compost, even try your hand at beekeeping, but got a few funny looks when asking for a yeast starter kit or a worm farm at the shop. 

Help is at hand: we've selected ethical producers who offer all you need –  from equipment to practical advice – to ensure a bountiful harvest at home. There's 

plenty on offer for your pantry too: from organic seasonal vegetables and grass-fed beef to sulphite-free bacon and truly free-range eggs. And, if you get peckish while you browse, you can snack on a selection of artisanal cheese and freshly baked pastries, washed down with a glass of Spier wine or a locally crafted gin cocktail. 

Entrance to the market is free!

Workshops:

Weekly workshops include boerewors making with Farmer Angus, Kombucha making with Theonista’s Meghan Werner, a seedling propagation workshop by Farmer Neil and cooking with market produce with Spier Eight’s Chef Charl. Workshop tickets are R250 each, only 25 tickets available per weekend and can be booked via Quicket or at the information stand at the Market.

Activities for kids:

There will be lots of farm games, child minders, a face painter, kids’ workshops and a kids’ entrepreneurial market, facilitated by Pocket Money Market at the end of every month. 

Nursery and Seed Exchange:

There will also be a heirloom seed exchange where visitors can exchange seeds, the Treepreneurs will have a stand where people can donate money in exchange for spekbome and also drop off containers for them to plant more trees.

This is a family-friendly gathering where ugly fruit is beautiful, worms stay in hotels and people earnestly swap seeds and share food. That said, if you’re more into sipping wine on a grass bank under a tree, that works too.

Launching on 31 October, the Spier Werf Market takes place every Saturday from 9am – 2pm at Spier Wine Farm, R310 Baden Powell Road, Stellenbosch, 7603.

Workshops in November 2015:

7th: Farmer Neil – seedling and propagation workshop

14th: Theonista's Meghan Werner – kombucha making

21st: Farmer Angus – boerewors making

28th: Chef Charl – cooking with market vegetables

Meet The Traders For The First Market:

Soil for Life | Worm farms and seedlings

Pin’s & Erbs | Medicinal plants

Good Hope Nursery | Veld + Sea edible plants

Organic seasonal fruit and veg (yes, the ugly ones too)

Farmer Angus | Truly free-range eggs and grass-fed meats

Culture Club Cheese | Handmade local cheese

Cove Cold Brew | Nitro coffee

Cape Town Spice Market | Spices

Karoo Aroma | Organic fresh pesto

Jewell & Co | Charcuterie

Frantastic | Roosterkoeke

Dirkje | Traditional pickles and preserves

Bedouin | Yogurt strained cream cheese

Die Rooi Olyf | Waterblommetjie pot

Eight to Go | Burgers

Hoghouse | Meat and freshly baked breads

Argies | Asado

Spier | Wine Bar

Hope on Hopkins | Craft Gin Coctails

Las Paletas | Fresh seasonal fruit lollies

Fizzle | Homemade ginger beer

My Basaar | Pancakes

Tuist Craft Ice Cream | Homemade organic ice cream

Honest Chocolate | Cocoa treats

And many many more.