ROMANTIC WINELAND GETAWAYS
For a relaxing escape taking in mountain views, good food and, of course, fine wine, look no further than these world-class getaways.
For a relaxing escape with your beloved, find your way to the luxurious Cape winelands
‘Our garden is like a library of plants. Sharing it with others is part of its generosity. The visitors are our passing sailors, bringing and taking as they come and go,’ says Babylonstoren horticulturist Gundula Deutschlander.
If you could sum up Babylonstoren, this would be it. The garden is the heart of the farm, and everything – from the restaurant food to the fruit you’ll find in your room, to the aromatherapy plants for your bath – is informed by it. Whether you’re a guest or day visitor, you’re encouraged to wander the garden paths, pick fruit and take herbs home for tisanes.
If you’re lucky enough to stay, enjoy the Japanese-inspired garden spa set in a forest of bamboo, and float in the pool, a restored farm reservoir. Rent a mountain bike and explore the trails or sit under the trees. Enjoy home-baked cakes, coffee, tea and fresh garden juices at The Greenhouse, or more substantial fare such as artisanal breads with handcrafted cheeses and dressed meats served with homemade herb oils, chutneys, preserves and relishes, as well as fresh colour-coded garden salads.
A daily guided garden tour is a must, and in season, hotel guests are invited to join in the harvesting, pruning, planting or picking of the many fruits, herbs, nuts, spices and vegetables.
It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, they say, so head to the new tasting room that overlooks Babylonstoren Hill, Simonsberg and the Banghoek Mountains. Go on a cellar tour, then relax with a tasting and cheese board. Our favourites? Their velvety Shiraz matured in French oak: it has a surprisingly fresh mid-palate with cherry and soft prune flavours, and a hint of spice. And, of course, their Babel, a dry, full-bodied red wine: a fusion of blackcurrant and spice with a hint of chocolate.
Once you’ve had your siesta, a knock on your room door reminds you it’s time for sundowners: a bottle of crisp Mourvèdre Rosé, and some fresh fruit and cold meats, before an indulgent dinner at Babel. Housed in an old cowshed, it melds Cape Dutch architecture with contemporary glass walls. Their farm-to-fork approach means you’ll be treated to seasonal food and ingredients.
Time for bed! After a divine sleep in luxurious linens, a breakfast buffet of home-made savoury or sweet muesli, freshly picked fruits, creamy eggs and fresh juices await.
You’ll leave refreshed and well fed, thanks to the love and commitment of the owners and farmworkers.
Cara-Lee Ruditzky First, let’s talk about the food! Boschendal’s farm-to-plate philosophy is obvious from the dishes served at The Werf Restaurant. Choose from dishes such as hand-reared Angus beef and roast chicken with earthy carrots to crisp salad leaves and artichokes, all hand-picked that morning.
If you prefer putting your own
dish together, visit the Rhone Homestead, their oldest manor house, dating from 1795, for a traditional Cape buffet lunch on Sundays. Chef Christiaan Campbell produces everything from gourmet dishes to picnic treats to platters paired with wine tastings, and works closely with the gardeners, bakers and butchers, making sure everything is organic, free of hormones and antibiotics, and that animals are free-roaming. The menu is drawn up each morning to take advantage of the seasonal veg and to be paired with their classic wines.
Boschendal has an extensive range of wines – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz – all crafted by dedicated red and white winemakers. The delicate white Le Bouquet from the classic collection pairs well with their trout and farm-fresh crisp salads.
Wander through the vineyards or rose and veggie gardens to walk off your meal, before turning in for the night. Boschendal offers luxurious accommodation at their beautifully restored labourers’ cottages. The next day you can treat yourself to a carriage or horse ride, pampering at the Orchards Treatment Room, wine tasting in the cellar or a vineyard tour. Cool off in the pool or farm dam, or go trout fishing in one of the dams above the vineyards. There are also running, hiking and mountain biking trails.
Kristen Birch
When you stand at the highest point of Lanzerac Wine Estate overlooking the Jonkershoek Valley and beyond, you really tap into the history of this farm. Dating back to 1692, it was bought and named Lanzerac by a Mrs English in 1914, who planted up to 21 imported varietals of grapes there. It was also the first farm to bottle SA’s unique Pinotage grape and today produces brilliant red and white wines. But there’s more to this estate than its award-winning wines: it’s a romantic retreat that feels private and personal.
We started with a tour of the vineyards with viticulurist Danie Malherbe, who showed us the latest block of Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Although the region is technically too warm for this varietal, the valley