BEST WINE FARM LIVING FOR GROUPS – BOSCHENDAL WINE ESTATE

Boschendal Wine Estate, set against stunning Simonsberg mountain and Simonsberg Nature Reserve backdrop between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, offers guests a spectacular setting, timeless beauty, amazing world-class award-winning wines, and memorable farm living experiences.

Established in 1685, Boschendal Wine Estate is not your ordinary wine estate. They are a working farm and produce excellent farm-to-table produce, food, and meat. Boschendal Wine Estate is the first farm in the Cape Winelands to be awarded world-renowned environmental and animal welfare certification from A Greener World (AGW). Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW is the only higher animal welfare certification in South Africa.

Boschendal Wine Estate is already popular amongst locals and tourists so, in this article, I will share why in my opinion, is the best wine estate for groups. Just less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Boschendal Wine Estate is so expansive that it resembles a picturesque little town with well-manicured gardens, vineyards, cottages, garden suites, vineyards, and orchards trees.

Travelling in a group can be very daunting especially if you are the elected member who plans the trip. You will have to ensure that money is paid in time, decent accommodation is booked, activities are booked well in advance, important information is communicated to all the members, all members are happy during the trip, and everything goes smoothly and according to the group’s plan or expectations.

What if I told you Boschendal Wine Estate takes away most of the stress associated with planning the trip to the Winelands including accommodation and activities? Boschendal Wine Estate has it all, from luxury accommodation that accommodates up to a group of 12 people, wine and MCC tastings and pairings, complimentary farm tours, access to world-class mountain biking trails, exclusive guided hikes, night markets, drive-in cinema, art gallery, farm shop and butchery, farm deli and restaurant, picnics, horseback riding, to Friday night swimming. For your convenience, I have also included a link to a list of 23 wine routes and approximately 237 wine estates around the Western Cape Province.

1. BOSCHENDAL WINE ESTATE WINES

With over 300 years in the wine business and countless awards on their ranges, you can rest assured that you will taste some of the best award-winning wines to ever be produced in the Cape Winelands.

BOSCHENDAL WINE ESTATE COMMITMENT

• To place emphasis on intensity of flavour and mouthfeel
• To further our special focus on Chardonnay and Shiraz varieties
• To be a leader in the production of Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines
• To have dedicated red and white winemakers in separate cellars for focused expertise
• To invest in oak from top coopers with judicious wood regimes for added intrigue but never overpowering

2. FOOD AND DRINKS AT BOSCHENDAL

Whether you eat at Werf restaurant and bar, the Deli, farm shop, and butchery, or buy a picnic basket, you will eat some of the best food that makes South African cuisine remarkable.

They offer an array of authentic culinary experiences and their primary focus is on providing flavourful and nourishing food, from soil to fork.

Most of the food served is from their own garden and farm and where needed, they source other ingredients from local farms and small producers from the surrounding Winelands, Stellenbosch, and Cape Town.

3. BOSCHENDAL WINE ESTATE ACCOMMODATION FOR GROUPS

Voted one of the nine best family hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveller for 2020. At Boschendal Wine Estate, you will embrace your freedom with wide-open spaces and a taste of luxury farm living. The estate can accommodate groups or families of 4 – 12 people.

Boschendal Wine Estate has a great selection of luxury wine farm accommodation, ranging from the historical Herbert Baker-designed Cottage 1685, to beautifully restored farm cottages in the Orchards. With an emphasis on stylish simplicity, the cottages are ideal for authentic farm living with a contemporary feel.

MOUNTAIN VILLA

FROM R28 500/NIGHT – 12 GUESTS

Mountain Villa – This private wine farm villa sleeps twelve people and is perfect for a luxurious, adventurous, or relaxing family/group of friends get-away. The villa has a fully equipped kitchen, two lounges, and a large terrace that wraps around the entire property.

Two master bedrooms with ensuite, four additional bedrooms, and two bathrooms all with air conditioning and mountain views. Set up to entertain with outside bar and braai areas, pizza oven, a large swimming pool, well-manicured gardens, lawn, and a private lake.

COTTAGE 1685

FROM R17 600/NIGHT – 10 GUESTS

Cottage 1685 – Set under the imposing outline of the Simonsberg mountain, the cottage has magnificent views over the Boschendal Wine Estate and the valley. The cottage is situated about 2km from the main Werf area.

A large veranda, outside dining under the oaks and an eco-friendly swimming pool add to the relaxed feel of the property, which is a South African National Heritage Site. Sleeps up to six people in the cottage and four people in the garden annex.

TROUT COTTAGE

FROM R4 685/NIGHT – 6 GUESTS

Trout Cottage – Located in a private area of the farm, surrounded by fragrant fruit orchards and rows of beautiful vines, the stunning Simonsberg Mountain is your closest neighbour. Great for active groups of friends. Sleeps four adults and two kids. Pet friendly.

THE RETREAT

FROM R4 445 – 4 GUESTS

The Retreat – This secluded venue has a carefree and relaxed atmosphere and is ideal for families or groups of friends.

The cottages are about 3.5 km from the main Werf area. Bring your mountain bike or walking shoes to explore the farm paths, mountainside trails, and single track.

4. ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES ON THE FARM

Enjoy everything the wine estate has to offer, from tasting their world-class award-winning wines, fresh produce sustainably grown from the estate to exploring the spectacular landscape by foot, horse or bike. All while taking the opportunity for some well-deserved downtime with friends in tranquil surroundings.

You and your friends will enjoy the following fun activities on the estate:

PICNICS

Enjoy a picnic set up while reclining and reconnecting under the trees of the Pavilion lawn.

Only the best available seasonal and ethically sourced ingredients, as well as locally made artisanal goods, are used, ensuring you receive a basket filled with delicious, eats and treats-ready to share with the family or in one of the most picturesque Winelands settings.

ART GALLERY

This is a partnership between Boschendal Wine Estate and the Norval Foundation. The satellite gallery features the best of South African and African art with rotating exhibitions.

NIGHT MARKETS

Live the farm life under the starlight!

Expect live music, fresh farm produce, food stalls, and other artisanal stands filled with handmade local products.

DRIVE-IN CINEMA

Enjoy a movie under the stars in the comfort of your own vehicle at the Boschendal Wine Estate helipad.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Experience exquisite views of the Franschhoek Valley as you explore the wine farm and all its wonders on a horseback. You will choose between their 1-hour guided horse rides available throughout the day where you’ll get a glimpse of Boschendal’s beauty.

FRIDAY NIGHT SWIMMING

Get fit, cool down, and enjoy weekly open water swim in one of the natural dams on the farm. Run by 3YO Training Camps, the end-of-the-week cool-down sessions at York Dam are the perfect way to enjoy living on the farm in the most unique way.

FARM SHOP AND BUTCHERY

The farm shop showcases an exclusive homeware range crafted by acclaimed local artisans and a fine selection of produce from local like-minded suppliers.

The shop celebrates some of South Africa’s unique and budding designers, selected for their quality and attention to detail, and robust environmental values.

FARM RESTAURANT AND DELI

Eat some of the best food that makes South African cuisine remarkable. They offer an array of authentic culinary experiences and their primary focus is on providing flavourful and nourishing food, from soil to fork.

Most of the food served is from their own garden and farm and where needed, they source other ingredients from local farms and small producers from the surrounding Winelands, Stellenbosch, and Cape Town.

MOUNTAIN BIKE (MTB), RUNNING, AND HIKING TRAILS

Enjoy a variety of biking, running, and hiking trails that cater to all levels of experience.

You can expect some mean climbs and sweet single-track rides all the way down the MTB trails, beautiful farm scenery along running trails, and exquisite views of the Franschhoek Valley on the hikes.

COMPLIMENTARY GUIDED FARM TOURS

Boschendal Wine Estate farm tours are 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.

You will also be harvesting seasonal herbs from the herb garden.

WINE AND MCC TASTINGS AND PAIRINGS Gather under the oak trees to taste a wide variety of Boschendal’s finest and award-winning wines. They also have delicious platters, featuring the best of their farm produce to enjoy alongside your tasting.

BOSCHENDAL CONTACT DETAILS

1. GENERAL CONTACT AND ENQUIRIES

Email: enquiries@boschendal.co.za | Tel: 021 870 4200

2. ACCOMMODATION

Email: accommodation@boschendal.co.za | Tel: 021 870 4271 / 021 870 4293

A LIST OF WINE ROUTES AND ESTATES AROUND THE WESTERN CAPE

Click here to access a list of 23 wine routes and approximately 237 wine estates around the Western Cape Province.

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IMPORTANT UPDATE

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