About the Goatshed
Relaxed atmosphere and excellent farm fare
The Goatshed is an informal Mediterranean-style eatery offering light meals and lunches. The restaurant opened its doors in December 2004 and is so-named for Fairview’s cheeky herd of some 700 Swiss Saanen, Toggenberg and British Alpine goats, bred for their milk. The Goatshed menu’s main feature is an array of freshly baked breads and bagels to complement the some 25 different cheeses produced in Fairview’s cheesery. Most are made from naturally fermented sour dough starches derived from grape juice cultures. The choice of cheese, made from both goat’s- and cow’s milk, includes popular Camembert, Brie and cream cheeses; Roquefort and Gorgonzola style cheeses; and speciality cheeses such as goats’ milk Chevins.
To accompany this mouthwatering fare, visitors are able to choose from the full range of Fairview, Spice Route and the hugely popular Goats do Roam wines. The full portfolio of wines are available at cellar-door prices, with a selection available in 200ml carafes.
Rustic and eclectic setting
All this is enjoyed in the wonderfully relaxed, hospitable ambience of what was originally one of the old wine cellars on the farm. The rustic atmosphere, created by clay-tiled floors and wooden tables, chairs and benches, is enhanced by the eclectic collection of old Cape furniture for which Fairview’s owner/vintner Charles Back has a passion. The interior extends onto a terrace for alfresco dining on those rare warm, still, sunny days during the usually rainy, cold Cape winter, or the long, hot, hazy days of summer in the winelands.
In the kitchen
Behind the scenes at The Goatshed is Swiss co-owner Andreas Küng, a former architect whose love of food eventually won out and saw him training as a chef. Previously owner of the Mimosa Lodge in Montagu, he has been instrumental in inspiring untrained members of the farming community on Fairview and the surrounding winelands to explore the hospitality industry as a career option. This is one of the attributes which found resonance with Charles Back, who is a local champion of job creation, upliftment and empowerment of those struggling to make a living in the Cape winelands. Some 25 formerly unemployed people work at The Goatshed as bakers, waitrons and wine stewards.