SALM TEAM 
Valentine’s Day has a habit of tipping into cliché. The same red roses, the same gift cards and teddy bears, and the same rush to demonstrate romance in a single evening. But this year, wine-led experiences are poised to quietly steal the spotlight. As couples push back against over-curated celebrations and predictable gifts, many are choosing slower, more grounded ways to connect through sharing a delicious meal and a few good bottles.
Narina Cloete, Head Winemaker at Blaauwklippen, notes that amidst the frantic pace of everyday life, the estate’s guests have expressed increasing appreciation for how something as simple as enjoying wine and food in a picturesque setting can create opportunities for relaxation and deeper connection.
“We’ve often observed that wine has a way of lowering the tempo of a moment, and inviting couples and busy parents to pause and talk. And once you slow down, everything else follows.
“There’s a reason that the experience of sharing a meal and some wine, whether at a restaurant or at home, remains such a classic romance trope. The experience is often more lasting and meaningful than performative gifts.”
When wine sets the pace, connection follows
Wine’s role as a social connector has been celebrated across numerous cultures over the centuries. In ancient mythology, wine was associated with Dionysus (later Bacchus), the god of wine, fertility, and ecstasy, embodying both pleasure and emotional release. The Egyptians buried wine with the dead as a life-giving elixir, while Roman society viewed wine culture as a marker of refinement and civilisation itself.
Today, wine remains a social language that encourages conversation and strengthens bonds. Add food to the mix, and you introduce texture, aroma, and anticipation, all of which heighten sensory awareness and emotional presence.
This is why experience-led Valentine’s celebrations are rapidly gaining ground, as couples are drawn to environments that allow intimacy to develop organically. Whether on a wine estate, at a favourite restaurant, or around a table at home, the goal remains creating a space where connection feels unforced.
This said, wine estates offer a particularly compelling canvas for romance, especially in areas such as Stellenbosch, renowned for its open landscapes, historic buildings, and relaxed hospitality.
At estates like Blaauwklippen, long lunches and informal tastings remain a perennial favourite for couples enjoying a day out. On-site restaurants such as De Blaauwe Kitchen and The Farmhouse offer a variety of plates with thoughtful pairings in relaxed atmospheres. Outdoors, romance often takes on a lighter tone with finger-friendly picnic food, fresh air, and a chilled bottle of wine evoking leisurely ease.
Importantly, however, Cloete notes that romantic experiences are not location-dependent. “You don’t need a special venue to create a meaningful moment. The same principles apply at home. Choose food and wine that complement each other, set the tone with music or candlelight, and allow enough time so nothing feels rushed.”
Flavours that turn up the heat
For couples seeking inspiration this Valentine’s Day, a simple menu can be just as effective as an elaborate one – starting with some classic romantic foods. Notably, many foods associated with romance go beyond signalling indulgence to actively influencing how the body responds.
Oysters, for example, deliver a zinc-rich boost associated with vitality, while red wine helps get circulation flowing, and chillies quite literally turn up the heat by stimulating nerve endings and raising the heart rate. Add cocoa, the essence of chocolate, and you introduce compounds linked to excitement and attraction.
A simple Valentine’s menu can easily lean into this. Fresh oysters paired with a crisp sparkling white set a bright, energetic opening note. For the main course, pan-seared steak, salmon, or a pasta with garlic and chilli works beautifully with an aromatic Chenin Blanc or a dry rosé – wines that balance freshness with texture. To finish, chocolate-covered strawberries paired with a lighter red or rosé will allow fruit and cocoa to shine without heaviness.
Ultimately, Valentine’s Day doesn’t need reinvention – just intention. When wine and food are chosen not for show, but for how they shape mood and conversation, romance stops feeling staged and starts feeling natural, effortless, and true.
Diana Kinyanjui 
