Discover Farm Fresh Produce & Handmade Delights at Windmeul’s Neighbourhood Market [Review]

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Let’s be honest, homemade is almost always better. Maybe it’s the fact that it comes with a sprinkling of love or that you know that the proceeds from your purchase will go directly to a local business owner, but either way, buying local produce always gives me the warm and fuzzies. Markets are the ideal place to find local products and if you’re looking for a place to shop, unwind, and sip on delicious wine then I can’t recommend Windmeul Kelder’s new Parskuip neighbourhood marketplace enough. Located in Paarl, this new market is a feast for the eyes… and stomach. Offering a wide selection of fresh, seasonal produce as well as local delicacies, and even handmade gifting, you’re bound to something to treat yourself or a special someone with.

Walking into this special market space is like stepping into your favourite tannie’s old-fashioned pantry. With shelves jam-packed with delicious proudly Paarl products, just begging to be taken home, there’s no place better for a market lover to shop up a storm. I’m probably the worst person to take to a market because I will inevitably leave with far too many goodies and in turn, convince you to buy things you never knew you needed. When I visited the Parskuip for the first time I was like a kid in a candy store. I paid a visit with a group of journalists and when everyone else had taken their photos, sampled the free tasters, and made their way back inside to the main building for wine tasting, I lagged behind with an arm full of market goodies I just had to have.

Clearly surrounded by a bunch of food philistines I continued browsing; oohing and aahing at the selection of home-baked rusks, traditional South African biltong and droëwors, homemade jams and preserves, specialist coffees, marinades, and drizzles and dips on every shelf. I must admit it was the gourmet meat and cheese fridges that distracted me the most – here shoppers can choose from a selection of local charcuterie, prime cuts of meat, farm-raised poultry, and creamy cheeses at rather excellent prices. After it was all said and done I left with a bag of dark chocolate rusks, a jar of jalapeno relish, wheel of camembert, and a jar of olives – all of which proved to be worth the drive back after I’d gobbled them up.

While I only had enough time to shop for food (I had to keep my priorities in check!), I did manage to sneak a peek at some of the other handmade gifting items on offer. If you’re looking for unique gifts this festive season then Parskuip is ideal for gift shopping. You’re guaranteed to find something for young and old including beautifully crafted wooden toys, pretty packaged braai spices, hand-made purses and handbags, organic pamper products and of course, award-winning wines from the Windmeul cellar.

This quint little indoor market is indeed a haven for those looking for artisanal products that have been crafted with care – whether it’s food or gifting, you’ll want to spend ages browsing the shelves of this unique little spot. And, once you’re done shopping up a storm don’t forget to pop into the farm’s Kontreikombuis for a bite to eat. They make the most divine breakfast pizzas I have ever tasted (grab a cup of a coffee from the market and a breakfast pizza from the Kontreikombuis and you will have a breakfast made in heaven). The Kontreikombuis serves delicious breakfasts, pizzas and “roosterkoek“ every Saturday so if you’re there on the weekend you have to stay for a bite to eat.

Of course, no sane person visits a wine cellar without sampling the wine so you’ll probably want to make time to taste Windmeul’s award-winning wines – their Chenin Blanc was definitely my favourite of the day I will be investing in a bottle or five next time I pop into this fabulous spot.

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Visit the Parskuip Neighbourhood Marketplace from Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 17:00 or on Saturdays from 09:00 – 15:00. The Kontreikombuis is open Saturdays from 09:00 – 15:00. If you want some extra excitement don’t miss the Windmeul Farmers Market to stock up on fresh farm produce on the first Saturday of every month.

For more information visit the Windmeul website.