KIDS INCOMING!
The question we are often asked at Bosman Hermanus: Is your wine farm restaurant kid friendly? And the answer is a resounding YES!
Set amongst fields of fynbos, far from busy roads and flashing robots, Bosman Hermanus offers a haven of tranquillity for harried parents, as not only can they relax with a glass of wine and a delicious plate of food, but their children can roam around safely. Family friendly wine farms are sometimes hard to find, but Bosman Hermanus is a great option for families holidaying in Hermanus or in the Overberg.
Within viewing distance of your table, your kids will be occupied by climbing the jungle gym, swinging on the swings, or trundling through the Meander where informative signage explains more about the farm, the fynbos and the grapes grown there.
There is also a Boules court where children can set up their own informal game of bowls or engage in a proper game of French Boules adhering to the rules provided. This game is very popular in France and can be played by young and old alike. And, yes, it is quite ‘de rigeur’ to drink wine and play boules at the same time. So, join your kiddies for a quick game while you wait for your order or use it as an ice breaker to get to know new friends.
As far as child-friendly wine farm restaurants go, Bosman Hermanus ranks highly. Their menu also caters for children. While ‘the grown-ups’ can sign up for the wine pairing menu or order a selection of small plates made from locally sourced produce, children will love the crispy flatbreads. For the super fussy kid, there is always a plate of chips, and there are a range of juices available to quench their thirst. While this is not a fast-food joint, children are welcome, and parents can relax as their kids flit in and out of the restaurant and make new friends.
For families looking for a perfect holiday destination, Hermanus is ideal. Of course, the beaches are the main drawcard for children, but often, the first thing that Mom asks once she’s unpacked: “Is there a kid friendly wine farm near me?” So, if your children have had too much sun, or you are just out-beached, jump in the car and take the short trip up to Bosman Hermanus in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Your children will love scampering around on the lawns and wandering through the fynbos while you just relax with a glass of chilled wine.
Another aspect that puts Bosman Hermanus firmly in the category of child-friendly wine farms is their hiking trail. Only an hour’s gentle walk up to the hill behind the Frame House, the Koppie Trail is the ideal choice for energetic children, or just a comfortable leg-stretch before tucking into a long and lazy lunch. So, make sure everyone is wearing comfortable shoes, pack in sunblock and hats, and arrive an hour early. Walking through the fynbos you will be struck by all the minute species of colourful plants along the way. Every season is different, so you will spot something new every time you do the hike. Once at the top, take a seat on the covered bench and take in the magnificent scenery. From there you can see all the way from Hangklip in the west, to Gansbaai in the east. The whole of Walker Bay is before you and, if you are there between July and November, you might even spot a whale in the bay, though take binoculars just to be sure not to miss these spectacular creatures who are known to breach right out of the water. These whales come into the bay to calve, so towards the end of the season, you might even spot a baby whale alongside its mother.
Another child-friendly activity in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is horse riding. Heaven and Earth Trails offer various horse-riding experiences for everyone from the ages of 7 to 65 years of age. There is a specific Bosman Frame House Trail which takes riders from the stables across the valley up to the Frame House for a wine tasting or lunch and back again. This 2-hour trail can simply be a wander through the fynbos, or for the more adventurous, there’s the chance for an exhilarating canter up towards the Frame House. Visit https://heavenandearthtrails.co.za/ for more information.
Also, there are other events during the year that cater specifically for children at the Frame House. Around the Easter weekend there is usually a supervised Easter Egg Hunt so keep an eye on social media or visit our website nearer the time for more information https://bosmanhermanus.com/
Due to the popularity of the Frame House, an extra wing was constructed recently. The Sunroom sits at right angles to the Frame House. It is used simply as an extension of the restaurant but can be booked separately. This would be an ideal venue for a big family lunch celebration because it is separate from the main restaurant so parents don’t have to worry about noise levels as their children enjoy playing with each other inside the venue which offers a spectacular 360˚view of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, or outside on the lawns right in front of the Sunroom, so in plain sight. So, whatever the weather, the Sunroom at Bosman Hermanus is perfect for get-togethers with children.
Family outings with children often include elderly grandparents and here Bosman Hermanus is ideal. There is Disabled Parking right behind the venue for those who are unable to walk down the path from the parking area, there is a ramp for wheelchairs, a disabled toilet and no steps inside the Frame House. Grandparents can sit comfortably inside the restaurant and watch their grandchildren having the time of their lives outside on the lawns.
There is a great selection of Cape Botanicals non-alcoholic sparkling drinks for designated drivers or those who prefer not to drink wine. The food menu clearly states which dishes are gluten-free or vegan to address dietary requirements, and the coffee served at this establishment is legendary. Watson is our chief barista and has been at the Frame House since it opened in 2017 so often parents with kids just pop up to the Frame House in the week to give their children a chance to stretch their legs and for the adults just to catch up over coffee. These days coffees are accompanied by a delicious crunchy chocolate biscuit which adds just the right level of sweetness and decadence to a freshly made, steaming cup of coffee.
One more thing: the Bosman Hermanus farm was acquired by the Bosman Family in 2000 so that this Wellington wine producer could grow cool climate cultivars like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. However, only a sixth of the farm is taken up by vineyards, the rest is under conservation management, and a small portion has been set aside to grow fynbos species commercially. As you walk up to the Frame House, you will notice the Flower Hut on the left where you can purchase bunches of these beautiful, indigenous flowers. Availability and choice depend on the season, but there are usually proteas and/or pincushions complemented by indigenous foliage. Grabbing a bunch to take home after a great day keeps the memory going at home long after and provides the perfect opportunity to teach children the value of conservation and the importance of biodiversity.
So if you are a Hermanus local, or intending to take your family on holiday there, make sure you book a visit to Bosman Hermanus, it will be a fun and memorable day for old and young alike.