A few weeks ago, I enjoyed staying at one of the most beautiful wine farms in the Cape Winelands. The boyfriend and I were looking for a cosy place to staycation for our first anniversary that was still close enough to Cape town, so Boschendal Wine Farm in Franschhoek was a perfect choice!
BOSCHENDAL WINE FARM
Boschendal is just a short 50-minute drive from Cape Town’s city centre. But the beauty of Cape Town is that it doesn’t take too long to get out of the city and into nature.
The farm is situated halfway between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in the Drakenstein Valley surrounded by stunning mountain views. As one of the oldest working farms in South Africa (founded in 1685) it has oodles of heritage and is renowned for its incredible picnic scene enjoyed on their beautiful lawns and ample activities ranging from guided hikes, garden harvest, MTB trails, Farm Tours and even swimming in the dams.
CHECKING INTO BOSCHENDAL
We checked into Boschendal Wine Farm for a glorious one-night stay during the week. Boschendal was one of The 9 Best Family Hotels in the World by Condé Nast Traveller for 2020 and has accommodation ranging from the historical Herbert Baker designed Cottage 1685, to beautifully restored farm cottages.
We stayed in one of the Werf cottages at Boschendal. They are situated behind and adjacent to the historic Werf (farmstead) of Boschendal with captivating views of the surrounding countryside and mountains.
Our cottage had its own fireplace, small kitchenette, patio with a Weber, while The Werf Restaurant and The Deli are within walking distance. Each room is equipped with all the essentials. For me, that is a USB plug points next to the bed, robes and slippers, makeup area, large bathtub, television and lounge area. Generous touches included a complimentary a plate of delicious chocolates; fresh farm produces for us to cook in our cottage and non-alcoholic beverages (since we are currently experiencing an alcohol ban due to COVID lockdown regulations in South Africa). The only thing that was truly missing was a Nespresso machine (great coffee for us is a non-negotiable in the mornings!)
DINING AT BOSCHENDAL
One of the highlights of our stay was dining at The Werf Restaurant. Situated in the beautifully revamped original cellar of the Manor House, dining at The Werf is truly a gastronomic experience, especially their sharing plate menu. Executive Chef Allistaire Lawrence has created a perfect menu for sharing and features elements from the garden, ocean, and pastures. Freshness, authenticity and artistry characterise each plate. I can highly recommend you try the Saldanha Bay Mussels and deep-fried risotto balls.
Making dinner at our cottage was another highlight of our stay, all items that Neill cooked was from The Farm Shop & Butchery and it included ribeye steak, sirloin, boerewors and fresh salads straight from Boschendal’s farm.
The beauty of staying over at The Werft Cottages at Boschendal is that it feels like your own private residence. Apart from wandering the farm and beautiful gardens, most of our time was spent indoors, reading and relaxing next to the braai that evening.
The following day we experienced Boschendal’s Farm Tour: a guided walking tour offering rare personal insight into the history of the farm, regenerative farming practices and sustainable gardening while experiencing and enjoying the beauty of the farm and its gardens.
The tour is complimentary to guests staying on the farm.
As much as I love living in Cape Town, there’s something so magical about escaping it! Even for just a brief night away, it felt so surreal.
BOOK YOUR STAY AT BOSCHENDAL
Make a booking online with Boschendal Wine Farm.
They have several romantic offerings during the Month of Love, like if you spend two nights of blissful romance in their luxury farm accommodation, you will receive a complimentary cheese plate and non-alcoholic bubbly.
