The beauty of our location, nestled in a tranquil cocoon of natural splendour, is that it feels so far from the rush and crush of daily life. Here the pace is peaceful. The bird calls carry on the wind. The trees rustle. The vlei ripples. And, whatever the season, the sea spreads its saline scent. With so many things to do nearby, it's hard to imagine we're no more than a short drive from many focal tourist points.
The advantage is that you can dip in and out of idyllic seclusion as the mood takes you.
But before even thinking of leaving the estate, discover how much there is right here to keep you entertained.
Because we're less than 5km away from the sea, our vines are cooled by the ocean breezes. Grapes ripen slowly with balanced, concentrated flavours. And there's another little secret: we lie on an ancient marine bed with veins of lime-rich soils that vines seem to love. These are the natural assets that lend grace to our wines, made with clear but restrained varietal expression.
Sample from the range: if you prefer, reds only, whites only or mix it up the way you like. Come to the Wine Lounge in The Vintage Room to find out what's on offer.
You might enjoy the intriguing and original Indigenous Tasting that showcases our wines in a whole new light. They come presented with local heritage food flavours from bokkoms to blatjang and biltong. Oh, and roosterkoek too, An absolute favourite for visitors!
We are thrilled to welcome Michelle Theron as our first Head of Gastronomy. This newly created role sees Michelle leading all dining and beverage experiences across the estate, building on the inspiring legacy left by culinary consultant Bertus Basson as we take the next step toward self-sufficiency.
MICHELLE'S STORY
Cape Town-born and -bred, Michelle trained at La Motte and Hazendal wine estates and refined her craft in Michelin-starred European kitchens. Widely travelled, she believes food tells the story of place:
“Our food, how we conceive, prepare and serve it is our response to the land and what we call place. It carries the imprint of our blended cultures, histories and heritage, and is infused with memories, dreams and longings.”
FARM-TO-TABLE GASTRONOMY
Michelle’s arrival coincides with our expanded regenerative farming programme, giving her a steady source of estate-grown Dexter beef, lamb, poultry, eggs, vegetables, herbs and honey. Her culinary style is simplicity with sophistication, where seasonal ingredients and traditional Cape flavours take centre stage.
“Just as in the cellar the winemaking team follows the grapes, in the kitchen we follow the seasonal ingredients, letting aroma, flavour and texture speak first.”
RENOVATIONS & INTERIM OFFERINGS
From 25 August 2025, our restaurants will be closed to the public as we undertake exciting renovations to prepare for the next chapter of estate dining.
Expert therapists offer a selection of revitalising luxury spa treatments. As our luxury spa is housed in what was once the dairy, we've developed a unique, very popular milk bath treatment. With so many relaxing things to do, pop in to find out more.
Perhaps you want to maintain your routine even while away from home. We have a cardio gym with basic equipment and walking trails to keep you moving.
Stroll through our lovely landscaped gardens where shrubs, hedges and flowers flourish in their natural habitat. Pick up fragrances of rose, geranium and buchu. Notice the beguilling aromas released by so many of our insectary plants. Spot the local birds and enjoy the vibrant eco-system of bird and plant life at the vlei. We're extremely proud of our WWF Conservation Champion award for this project.
Make time for the powerful and arresting Dylan Lewis bronze sculptures in the gardens. Each one features a form where the human is melded with the animal. See how the contrast between the smooth-formed humans and the rough-hewn animals captures the eternal tension between people and nature.
Walk our labyrinth, designed by the colourful Terry de Vries. To follow its single, continuous path until you reach its central space is to take a transformative journey of contemplation. Give yourself over to the process as you relax, release and recharge. Designed as a seven-circuit medieval-style labyrinth, its centre lines up with the Botmaskop Mountain in the distance.
Strike out on our puzzle maze, where two paths lead to a blessing well in the centre. Open doors lead to possible paths you can take. A challenging but immensely rewarding experience. Follow the sound of the water to find the center and the blessing well.
Our art walk has been devised for you to explore our sculptures, paintings and landscaping in a way that we hope will surprise and delight, enchant and intrigue. Of course, you may wish to discover our works in your own sequence and that’s fine too. Follow the our blue cobble stones along the route or simply refer to the map.
From here you continue your journey aside the dam back to the Homestead – the perfect opportunity to enjoy a glass of our award-winning wines and the tranquillity of the werf!
All it takes is a short drive from serenity to other, faster-paced pleasures. We're just 20km from the centre of Stellenbosch and 15km from Somerset West. We're 22km from Cape Town International Airport; less than 40km from the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and under 90km from the celebrated seaside town of Hermanus.
GOLF
Close by, discover no fewer than four golfing estates:
De Zalze Golf Estate
Erinvale Golf Estate
Pearl Valley Golf Estate
Stellenbosch Golf Club
BEACHES
Visit some of the Cape's world-renowned soft-sand beaches. Catch the waves, the surf and the general holiday atmosphere, whatever the season.
Muizenberg: A surfers' paradise (45 minutes away)
St James: See the iconic wooden beach huts (48 minutes away)
Boulders: Home to an amazing colony of Africa penguins
Fish Hoek: Paddle-ski, sail and snorkel to your heart's content (55 minutes away)
Clifton: A prestigious Blue Flag beach, festooned with yachts and the beautiful people (55 minutes away)
NATURE RESERVES, GARDENS & MORE
Helderberg Nature Reserve: In Somerset West on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain overlooking False Bay. Nature walks, mountain hikes, picnics and much in the way to discover from flora and fauna (birds, repltiles, leopards, small spotted genets and buck).
Cheetah Outreach: In Somerset West, this educational and conservation centre is where you learn more about these fine, graceful felines.
Giraffe House: A wildlife awareness centre in nearby Muldersvlei, where you can meet Africa's spectacularly tall sky-browsers.
Silwerboom (Silver Tree) Kloof Natural Heritage Site: A beautiful small spot in Somerset West, where walkers can enjoy granite fynbos and renosterveld plant species. The famous silver-tinged trees are part of the indigenous protea family.
Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden: Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch: See more of this celebrated sculptor's unique works that bridge the abstract, representative and metaphorical in one of the most profoundly beautiful parts of Stellenbosch.
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve: A World Heritage site that's home to the majestic Jonkershoek Mountains and parts of the Jonkershoek Valley where visitors can hike and bike. It includes the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve. Both can be accessed from the Jonkershoek Valley Road in Stellenbosch. The area is also rich in animal and plant life, with over 1 100 plant species and a variety of small mammals, birds and reptiles.
PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS
Leave it to the experts to drive you and guide you and take you to unexpected places, like some of the Cape's most vibrant townships.
Silvertree Tours & Transfers (https://silvertreetours.co.za).
