The Cape winelands, even though shimmering in its finest colours during the warmer months of summer, offers visitors a different, quieter experience in winter, when staying indoors and sipping wine becomes a pure, heart-warming indulgence. We recently wrapped ourselves in the magnificent coats of Val Du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate, soaking in the views and wine for an exquisite twenty four hours.
Introduction
At the end of a winding little road, at the top of Bovlei, a mere 10 minutes outside of Wellington, you’ll find the historic white gates of Val Du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate welcoming you to their piece of heaven on earth. The first thing you’ll notice is the incredible, panoramic views of the valley, as you keep on climbing higher even after entering the gates. Layers of vineyards, olive groves and natural fynbos, framed by the majestic Hawequa mountains in the not-so-far distance, sets the picturesque scene for this award-winning estate.
The four of us piled out of the car, quietly eager to start this one-night winter breakaway, leaving our city jobs and domestic responsibilities far behind on the N1. Even though it was still chilly, the sun broke through the clouds, announcing the start of something that simply incredible.
Background
With a history of winemaking dating back to 1699 Val du Charron’s wines are available worldwide but are best enjoyed surrounded by the vineyards themselves at one of the Estate’s restaurants or from your own balcony at the 4 star Guesthouse or 5 star Coach house suite.
Cape Country Routes
Val du Charron is a member of Cape Country Routes. Cape Country Routes (CCR) was started in 1997 by a group of enterprising independent hotels and country inns, to encourage visitors to explore the scenic, romantic and historic routes between the two harbour cities – Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Properties are chosen for character, charm and romance – the hallmark of Cape Country Routes.
The vision of CCR is to promote and enhance the splendours of South Africa, starting or ending in ‘The Cape’ at the southern tip of the African continent, through their 4- and 5-star establishments.
To read more about the exciting routes on offer through Cape Country Routes, visit their website HERE.
Eat
As all good things do, we started with wine and lunch soon after our arrival. Pizza Vista is one of two restaurant offerings at Val du Charron, and invites you to casually bathe in life’s indulgences on the outside patio. With a massive wood-fired pizza oven inside, and a vast selection of wines and cocktails on the menu, this is a great spot to forget about everything that scratches at your mind.
The other eatery is The Grillroom, a beautifully elegant indoor space with an overflow balcony for sundowners. Val du Charron maximises as much of their natural environment as possible by seamlessly blending nature with man-made, offering plenty of intimate nooks and corners from where you can admire the endless views in comfort.
A must-visit for those who enjoy a good-quality cut, The Grillroom offers grain-fed and grass-fed beef, dry or wet aged, burgers, chicken, seafood and vegetarian dishes.
Drink
After a leisurely lunch at Pizza Vista, it was time for a wine tasting at The Grillroom. The tasting includes three wines: Four White Legs, Erasmus “den Deen”, and The Black Countess, each with its own unique blend and back story. Having already made our acquaintance with Four White Legs over lunch, I was eager for another sip of this award-winning blend (36% Pinot Gris, 31% Chardonnay, 13% Roussanne, 10% Viognier, 10% Grenache Blanc).
The Pinotage-heavy Cape blend, Erasmus “Den Deen” opens the palate to the estate’s red wines, culminating in Val du Charron’s signature blend, The Black Countess. The story behind the name is equally enticing as the contents of the bottle, which is a delicate, yet voluptuous Rhone-style red blend.
With 15 different varietals grown on the estate, the magic of Val du Charron lies in their blends. Carefully hand selected for robustness, complexity, mouthfeel and structure, each varietal is chosen for its unique characteristics, capturing the innovative spirit of Val du Charron through their blends.
Sleep
After a slow meander through everything that Val du Charron has to offer on their menu, it was time to settle in and refresh for the second half of our stay. Our twin rooms in the 4-star Guest House each had a quaint little private balcony, of course also situated to face the mountains and that signature panoramic sweep that Val du Charron has become quite famous for. The afternoon had warmed up slightly, so a shared bottle of Rosé on the balcony seemed just right as we took a moment to catch our breath.
Elegant and contemporary, the rooms at Val du Charron are equipped for luxurious comfort. Fitted with all the necessary modern amenities, it creates a lovely home away from home with white linen and plush pillows. The care and attention is evident in the details; the freshly baked cookies, the gourmet coffee options and the vase of stunning locally picked flowers on the dresser.
Except for their standard rooms, luxury double and twin rooms and family rooms in the Guest House, Val du Charron recently unveiled two stunning and brand new family rooms, with built-in bunk beds for the kids and a private outdoor area that opens up onto wide expanses of lawn and a playground lower down for the young at heart.
Curious to see what the beautiful Coach House was keeping secret behind the hedges, we were offered a sneak peek at these three exclusive suites, offering 5-star accommodation to those who are looking for a romantic breakaway with all the frills. The Presidential Suite and Suite 1 both have a serene plunge pool, tucked into an undercover fireplace area, which offers by far the best views Val du Charron could spare.
All three suites provides an incredibly spacious room, with dedicated spaces to sleep, dine, unwind, work, play and relax. I mean, what more could you possibly want?
An interlude
An interludeWe were invited to dinner by owners Catherine and Stuart Entwistle, and joined by Graham Watson from Kusa Connect, who is responsible for their international representation. Within minutes we felt generously welcomed by Cathy and Stu, who are tangibly excited and passionate about their wines, their home and their people. Cathy’s openhearted spirit is simply contagious and soon the evening was drawn out in camaraderie over a few bottles of wine and delicious bowls of pasta and crispy pizzas. Stu introduced us to some of Val du Charron’s single varietal wines, including the breathtaking Malbec, as well as their Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Over dinner, looking around the table, I realised that we can search far and wide for the heart of Val du Charron. We can search the picturesque views. We can search the generosity of the estate and all its offerings. We can search every bottle of spectacular wine, every plate of delicious food. But the heart of Val du Charron was right here – in this moment, held sacred between Cathy and Stu, and their people. The heart of Val du Charron lies in the pure devotion, hard work and joy that its people pour into the cellar, into the food, into the details, into every interaction with every guest. And for a brief moment, we shared in this heartbeat, celebrated by clinking glasses and laughter.
In conclusion
In conclusionAs we drove through the gates the next morning after a delicious breakfast and one last soaking of the views, we reluctantly left Val du Charron behind us. Wishing our stay could’ve been a bit longer, I also knew that we could not possibly have wrapped ourselves up any tighter in Val du Charron’s hospitality in 24 hours. With a few bottles of Four White Legs in the boot, I knew I could hold onto this memory a little bit longer, as I took a part of Val du Charron, and it’s people, to share with those I love.
Thank you ever so much, Cathy and Stu, for hosting us and spoiling us with your time. Thank you, Graham, for joining in the evening and for all the real belly laughs and heart stories. Thank you to the gorgeous Pamela who took care of our every food and wine need, and the beautiful Joy for the incredible wine tasting experience. And a big thank you to Evans, for making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived.
Oh, you didn’t think I would forget my #winesquad #wingwomen, now, did you? A massive thank you from the bottom of my hedonistic little heart to the best vino-friends one could ask for: my ray of sunshine and personal cheerleader, Elske from @atableformytribe, the vivaciously bubbling “bring the good vibes” Aya from winechic_ and the ever so beautiful Gaynor, from @tulipsandphoenix.
#CapeCountryRoutesMember #CapeCountryRoutes #CCRAccommodation #CCRActivity #ValDuCharron
Disclaimer: I was invited to this event in my personal capacity. There was no expectation for platform coverage in the form of a blog, or social media posts. This is my honest and truthful opinion and review thereof. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely those of The Little Hedonist, given in good faith and in no way influenced by the company or its affiliates. All images, unless otherwise stated/credited, are also my own.
The Little Hedonist endorses responsible drinking.
Don’t drink and drive. Not for persons under 18.
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