It’s still Women’s Month, a time to celebrate everything Queendom! So why not get your girls and head to Stellenbosch for a weekend or make a day out of it by wine farm hopping for some best local wine? To make life easy for you, here’s list of the town’s best wine-tasting farms and accommodation.
Lanzerec Hotel and Spa
This five star hotel is a treat! It’s Cape Dutch elegancy is blended with old-school grandeur and contemporary style. Did you know it’s the home of the pinotage, where the very first ever bottled Pinotage was made? If you plan on sleeping over, there are 48 en-suite bedrooms and suites with all rooms leading onto the patios, overlooking vineyards and mountains - it’s picturesque and breathtaking. The wine estate’s Tasting Room is just as luxurious and because it’s on a working wine farm, as a guest you have easy access to the cellar and wine tasting centre for an experience of innovative wine and chocolate pairings. When done sipping on good wine, you may have a pamper session at the Lanzerac Spa which offers the perfect retreat with its tranquil and scenic views of the mountains offering the ultimate relaxation. If not sleeping over, Lanzerec also offers various facilities for day visitors including an acclaimed restaurant, deli, picnic area, the spa, and wine tasting facilities. www.lanzerac.co.za
Middelvlei Wine
This cosy nostalgic wine-farm boasts of wines including Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. All the wines are made from the estate’s own grapes having pioneered the making of more fruit-driven wines. The bonus with this wine-farm is they offer their very own wine blending experience where you and your girls can become part of the Middelvlei Wine-making team. This is how it works: after a walk-about tour of the farm, you get three blending components with the challenge to create your own blend. A personalized bottle of your blend can be taken home. Cool right? The session lasts for an hour and a half and is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am and every last Saturday of the month at 11am. Convenient times can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more. www.middelvlei.co.za
Delaire Graff Estate
Here you’ll find the ultimate luxury! Scenic and serene, you’ll fall in love with it immediately! The building, art and fine wine is all a girl could wish for. It’s located between majestic mountains and overlooking the vineyards of Stellenbosch offering a perfect view for when having your wine-tasting. The estate also boasts of exceptional restaurants, state-of-the-art winery, exclusive Lodges, beautiful landscaping, destination Spa and luxury boutiques. It’s a definite must-visit! www.delaire.co.za
Ouder Werf Hotel
This is a great hotel to sleep over at as it’s located in the heart of Stellenbosch. It’s South Africa’s oldest hotel and serves the town’s biggest landmark. The inviting building boasts of comfort and a period-inspired feel to its 58 rooms. There’s pamper packages and opportunities for great tea parties, best for birthdays, kitchen teas and baby showers. www.oudewerf.co.za
Tokara Wine & Olive Farm
At this destination you’re welcome by majestic views of vineyards and mountains. The farm offers award-winning wines, brandy and olive oils, a gallery of fine art and renowned restaurant with renowned chefs. It’s perfect for the modern-day minimalistic woman with its chic architecture and design and breathtaking environment and of course the wine! www.tokara.co.za
