As July rolls in, the Cape Winelands has only just begun to see the face of winter and yet its residents have been hasty in reacting to the chill in the air, with many commencing their annual hibernation that prescribes warm fires, red wine and hot water bottles in the comfort of one’s home. However, with school holidays approaching, it may not pay off to stay put, which is why we have hand-picked a few delightful winter getaways that will suit both family fun (for the ball-and-chains) and the romantic escape (for the wild and free)!
Dunstone Estate (Wellington Wine Route)
If you’re looking for a wicked weekend away without the kids, this hidden gem at the foot of Bains’ Kloof Pass offers seclusion, luxury and indulgence with an affordable price tag. Over the colder months, guests can book a winter special which includes 4* luxury B&B accommodation at the Dunstone Country House Guest Suites and a host of extra meals, such as afternoon tea and cake, followed by boutique wine and nibbles at sunset, topped off with a three-course dinner at Dunstone’s bistro, The Stone Kitchen. After a lazy sleep and leisurely breakfast, adventure lovers will appreciate the mountainous backdrop that offers several options for exploring the area on foot or by bike; choose between a vineyard walk, a cycle up Bains’ Kloof Pass or a rockier MTB ride on the Welvanpas trails. Any of these are bound to make your afternoon cake taste even sweeter!
Type of Weekend: Romantic (Dunstone Country House Guest Suites) or Family (Guava Cottage / 5* Dunstone Manor)
Special Offer: R750 pp (B&B special) / 25% off Guava Cottage / Dunstone Manor
Contact: stay@dunstone.co.za
Website: www.dunstone.co.za
Beaumont Family Wines (Botriver Wine Route)
Beaumont Family Wines is just as its name implies; a family owned and managed farm situated a stone’s throw from Botriver epicentre. The property, once known as Compagnes Drift, is thought to be the first farm established at the foot of the Houw Hoek Mountains in 1731. The wine estate has two delightful guest cottages, Pepper Tree and Mill House, which date back to the original farm dwellings and have been thoughtfully and tastefully furnished and stocked, with a hoard of extra personal touches to make you feel at home. In winter, guests can enjoy the roaring wood burning stove in the lounge at night, an open fire in the kitchen, hot water bottles in bed and a cup of ‘proper’ filter coffee and fresh farm eggs in the morning. Life seems very easy here, nothing or nowhere is off-limits on the farm and there is a lot for a family to explore together; slow meanderings through the vines, easy bike riding around the farm and a visit of the lovingly restored watermill that is serviced by bubbling natural streams that zigzag between the cottages. Sundowners at the edge of the family dam holds a spectacular view and proves to be the perfect spot to enjoy a bottle of Beaumont’s signature Chenin Blanc, the Hope Marguerite, lovingly named after Granny Beaumont.
Type of Weekend: Family (Millhouse sleeps 4-6) or Romantic (Pepper Tree sleeps 2-4)
Special Offer: pay for 2 nights, stay for 3 promotion in June, July and August
Contact: info@beaumont.co.za
Website: www.beaumont.co.za
Springfontein (Stanford Wine Route)
A thirty minute drive from the bustling coastal town of Hermanus lies Stanford, a quaint riverside village that boasts its own thriving local wine route. Springfontein ‘is a combination of nature and human craftsmanship’, says owner Dr Johst Weber and it is this beautiful partnership of nature and nurture that sets the scene for a decadent, yet down-to-earth guest experience. Stay in one of five charming historic one-bedroom cottages, each with indoor fireplace and stylish fittings and furnishings. Treat yourselves to a three-to-six course slow-food menu at the farm’s restaurant, Springfontein Eats, which is passionately run by German Michelin star Chef Jürgen Schneider. And when you are not sleeping, eating or tasting Springfontein’s multi-award winning wine, the farm offers many onsite activities (weather permitting), such as tennis, mountain biking, walks in the fynbos and birding.
Type of Weekend: Romantic
Contact: hospitality@springfontein.co.za
Website: www.springfontein.co.za
Tanagra Wine and Guest Farm (Route 62 Wine Route)
Mirroring the tranquil and artistic ambiance of Stanford is the picturesque community of Mcgregor. A village that oozes eccentricity, Mcgregor tends to attract the more alternative, spiritual visitor looking for his/her own piece of paradise far from the madding crowds. Tanagra Wine and Guest Farm is a boutique winery and distillery situated on the outskirts of town that produces handcrafted wines and a sophisticated Grappa and Eau de Vie. It may prove nearly impossible to find a more solitary accommodation than Tanagra’s aptly-named Faraway Cottage, which lies centre stage in a natural amphitheatre of mountain, fynbos and open sky. Faraway has been designed to exploit the breathtaking scenery by offering unobstructed views from every aspect inside and out and the open fireplace will keep you warm during the colder nights. Sleeping four people in two bedrooms, the property is big enough for the average family, but we think you might prefer to leave the kids at home and spend the entire weekend with your feet up, reading, star gazing and sipping on red wine and grappa!
Type of Weekend: Romantic (or families with older children)
Contact: tanagra@tanagra-wines.co.za
Website: www.tanagra-wines.co.za
A.A Badenhorst Family Wines - Kalmoesfontein Farm (Swartland Wine Route)
In 2008, award winning winemaker Adi Badenhorst bought a 60-hectare piece of land in the Paardeberg with his cousin Hein. Together, this dynamic duo restored a neglected farm cellar and began creating natural wines, using biological farming techniques and traditional winemaking processes. Nestled deep in the heart of the Swartland between Malmesbury and Wellington, the farm welcomes overnight visitors to a simple yet tastefully furnished guest cottage that offers a beautiful balance of rustic charm and creature comforts. With underfloor heating and an indoor fireplace, Badenhorst Farm Cottage provides extra warmth on the cooler winter nights and during the day, guests are free to roam the reserve, romp in the farm vegetable garden and get to know the resident farm animals (chickens, horses, dogs.. the list goes on)! The attractive town of Riebeeck Kasteel is also a short drive away should you wish to venture further afield.
Type of Weekend: Family or Romantic
Contact: http://www.perfecthideaways.co.za/Details/Badenhorst-Farm-CottageWebsite: aabadenhorst.com
