Why Curate Your Own Afternoon?

I don’t know about you, but once the weather starts cooling down, you won’t catch me running around trying to curate the perfect afternoon for myself. To me, it's the same logic as a picnic. Yes, of course, you could pack your own basket, worry about the snacks, forget the dip, or the chips, or both, and pretend you’re having a lovely time while mourning the perfect snack spread that never got to be… or you could let somebody who actually knows what they’re doing handle the details. And that’s exactly what Chardonnay Deli Uitsig does best.

“If carbs and wine are a longstanding love story, cake and bubbles are the glamorous sequel.”

Charmaine’s Recipe for a Good Time

Charmaine, owner of Chardonnay Deli, has taken a few of life’s greatest pleasures and turned them into an experience that feels intentional from the moment you arrive. If you’re wondering what these simple joys are, thankfully for us, they also happen to be Charmaine’s greatest passions: beautiful wine, delicious food, and a setting that makes you sit back, relax, and enjoy. 

Interactive Learning, Apparently

Now, if you know me, you’ll know I love an experience. And yes, of course I enjoy being looked after too. I mean, who doesn’t? But what I love even more is when something feels interactive and engaging. Maybe it’s because I’ve always learned through doing. It actually reminds me of PE in school, which is slightly traumatic but relevant. The teacher would explain the obstacle course, and I’d stand there nodding and grinning from ear to ear like, “yes, absolutely, understood,” while the information definitely went in one ear and out the other. Spoiler: I did not understand the assignment. The only way I ever figured it out was being second in line and copying as we went. Apparently, I’ve always needed to do the thing to understand the thing. Which is probably why I love tasting experiences so much. I love trying, tasting, discussing, and discovering what I gravitate toward most.

Less Pressure, More Pouring

So naturally, the wine experience immediately caught my attention. For R175 per person, you get to enjoy five thoughtfully selected wines, with an optional reduced menu available for R250. The menu includes  a choice of a main and a dessert that’s designed to pair with the wines from the tasting.

How cool?

I love that this experience takes the pressure off and leaves the enjoyment exactly where it should be… in the glass, on the plate and somewhere between good conversation and another sip of wine.

A Little Countryside Escape

Since this moody weather we’ve been having practically begs for wine and comfort food, it felt like the perfect excuse for a little countryside escape. I’ve been visiting Chardonnay Deli for years and, no matter which branch I’m at, it always feels familiar.

Arriving at the Uitsig location felt like a hug. The hospitality is wonderfully hands on in the loveliest way. Before I even finished considering whether I was cold or not, I was handed a blanket and a heater was thoughtfully positioned next to me. Somehow everything feels less like a restaurant and more like arriving at a beautiful countryside home where somebody genuinely wants you to relax.

Blanket Secured

So with the blanket secured, orders in, and fully trusting the process, we settled in, and before long, our wines began to arrive. One thing I immediately appreciated was how beautifully visual the experience is. Each wine arrives alongside tasting notes, pairing suggestions and just enough information to feel better educated without turning the afternoon into a lecture. Which, for me, is perfect. 

Wine Mood Activated

We were introduced to each wine, given a little guidance and then left to do the fun part… sip, read, discuss, and decide. There’s something satisfying about sitting with a glass in hand, reading the tasting notes, and deciding which wine feels most like your personality that day. And that was probably my favourite surprise. 

Five Wines, Five Personalities

Normally at a tasting there’s at least one glass that becomes the designated “not for me” moment. But here, it never felt like a question of better or worse. It felt more like a mood. Like, what are you drawn to today? The bubbles felt playful, the Rose had full ‘rose all day’ energy, the Sauvignon Blanc was fresh, the Chardonnay was soft, and the red wonderfully comforting. Personally, I’m almost always pulled toward bubbles or a good Sav, and this day was no exception. 

What Are We Feeling Today?

So when our waitress returned and asked the very important question: “what are we feeling?”  I loved that the experience became interactive again. It wasn’t transactional or rushed. It felt conversational. Based on my wine mood of the day, she suggested the seafood pasta. Which, thankfully for me, was great news because I had already been hoping pasta would somehow enter the chat.

Pasta Entered the Chat

This is where the experience started getting dangerous. There we were, sipping away, toasting next to the heater, conversation flowing, and everything suddenly becoming slightly more entertaining than it probably was sober.

My pasta arrived at exactly the right  moment because, wine connoisseur language aside and just human to human for a second, I firmly believe one of life’s greatest pairings is alcohol and carbohydrates. A love story more consistent than most relationships. Honestly, I respect the commitment.

A Bisque Worth Talking About

My seafood penne arrived in a generous bowl coated in a silky bisque sauce. It was layered with prawns, calamari, and  seafood richness. Just a small note, mussels weren’t available on the day, but honestly, it never felt like anything was missing. The kitchen more than made up for it with generous seafood and a beautifully balanced bowl overall.

The seafood was delicately cooked, the pasta perfectly done, but the sauce was the real star for me. Super luscious, lightly briny and full of body. It was rich enough to feel indulgent, but still light enough that you don’t leave needing emotional recovery.

I think the dish was also lifted by the crisp, slightly acidic Sav. Heavy and light working together instead of competing. Very good matchmaking.

Different Wines, Different Pairings

Pro tip: go with someone who likes different wines to you. Not only does it make the tasting more fun, but it means you get entirely different food pairings entering the table. My friend chose the dish of the day, which was oxtail served with mash and vegetables. It was hearty, tender and properly comforting. The kind of meal that makes you go quiet while eating. 

Scarpetta Is Non-Negotiable

So there we were, full luxury gluttony mode activated alongside beautiful views, soft music, and a very lovely warm heater. Oh! And before I forget, second pro tip: keep some bread aside. You’ll want to do scarpetta because leaving that bisque behind would simply be irresponsible.

The Cake Pilgrimage

Now listen. You can’t come to Chardonnay Deli and not have cake. That’s not even a suggestion. It’s rude. And if you’ve been here before, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

Half the fun is choosing.

So, despite already knowing what I wanted, I still made my way over to the cake display because apparently I need visual confirmation before making life decisions. Interactive learning, remember?

In my short-lived actress era, I pointed at the carrot cake and said “Mm, maybe I’ll try that one”. Fooling absolutely no one. 

Cake & Bubbles: The Glamorous Sequel

I don’t throw around bold cake statements lightly. But Chardonnay Deli’s carrot cake is, in my opinion, one of the best in Cape Town and I will happily stand by that claim. 

No dry crumbs. No choking hazard. No support tea required.



Just beautifully moist cake layered with warm spices, generous raisins and that perfect balance between indulgent and comforting. The cream cheese frosting brings just enough tangy freshness. It’s full of flavour and honestly just very difficult to stop eating. And yes, I know everyone rolls their eyes at the word moist. But sometimes accuracy matters.

Third pro tip: if you’re ordering cake, keep a little of your MCC aside. Trust me. Because if carbs and wine are a longstanding love story, cake and bubbles are the glamorous sequel. The fizz cuts through the richness so beautifully and suddenly you’re sitting there wondering whether dessert was always meant to be paired with sparkling wine or if Chardonnay Deli simply knows something the rest of us don’t.

A Home Away From Home

Overall, I had such a lovely time at Chardonnay Deli Uitsig. From the beautiful setting and warm hospitality to the interactive wine tasting and pairing suggestions, the entire experience felt playful, engaging and effortless. I loved being able to sip, compare, and discover what I was drawn to, while knowing I was fully looked after every step of the way. 

And honestly, that’s probably my favourite part about Chardonnay Deli. You can spend hours there without even noticing the time pass. Between the delicious food, excellent wines, cosy atmosphere and genuinely welcoming service, it feels less like simply going out for lunch and more like finding a little home away from home.

So thank you, Charmaine, for your brilliant ideas, your beautiful hospitality and, of course, your consistently delicious food. I already can’t wait to come back and something tells me this wine experience and I are far from finished.

Until next time!