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. 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 Homestead 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!
Renowned Stellenbosch chef Bertus Basson, who celebrates local culinary heritage and produce, has conceived two restaurants. One's casual. The other offers five courses paired, as an optional extra, with carefully selected wines from our magnificent cellar that houses our own, as well as other distinguished wines. Both eateries demonstrate his deft, gastronomic ingenuity.
GEUWELS
Geuwels is easy-going, serving farm-style breakfasts and lunches daily, Look out for the small-plate heritage lunch items highlighting local ingredients.
CLARA'S BARN
Our fine dining restaurant, with five fine-dining courses, includes and excellent cellar. Clara is the beloved wife of our owner Prof Dr Peter Löw, a German entrepreneur, historian, philanthropist and heritage advocate.
Expert therapists offer a selection of revitalising spa treatments. As our luxury spa is housed in what was once the dairy we've developed a unique, very popular milk bath treatment. Pop in to find out more.
Perhaps you want to maintain your routine even away from home. We have a yoga getaway room and most of the basic yoga equipment you'll need. If you prefer a gym workout, we can offer that too, with a range of equipment to keep you fit, stretched and toned.
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. 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.
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
Helderberg Golf Estate
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).
