Staying at Boschendal Estate

Escaping to the countryside is as good as seeing a therapist. Quiet and serene, Boschendal Wine Estate in the Western Cape is as quintessentially cosy as it gets. Complete with an open fire, luxe linens and self-catering facilities, the Werf Cottages at Boschendal are the ultimate romantic escape in wine country.

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Checking In: Werf Cottages

After a week in the bush in Botswana and a week in busy Cape Town, I was more than excited to pack my bags and make a weekend escape to Boschendal Estate in the cape winelands.

The winelands are just under a one-hour drive from Cape Town but feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With a handful of charming cities and towns to visit alongside too many wineries to count, it can be a little overwhelming trying to decide which accommodation suits you best but if luxurious country escape sounds like your kinda thing, you can’t go wrong with the Werf Cottages at Boschendal.

When I walked in the front door and dropped my bags on the floor I squealed a little at how quaint, charming and warm the cottage was. There wasn’t a detail missed – pots and pans were ready for me to use in the kitchen, a welcome bottle of bubbles and a delicious hamper of organic goodness awaited my inspection on the dining table.

The Werf Cottages are exactly what you’d dream up if you were planning your life in the countryside. Neutral tones, hearty fabrics and simple decorations made the cottage welcoming and warm (although, that was probably more due to the open fireplace!)

Each day the cottage was restocked with fresh milk, water, and fire wood to keep the cottage warm. The weather outside was cold and uninviting so this gave us all the more reason to stay indoors and cozy up by the fire with a bottle of red wine from the endless collection on offer at the estate.

Wine Tasting at Boschendal

One thing I would recommend you don’t miss at Boschendal is the wine tasting. Not only was it the best wine tasting we enjoyed in the winelands, it was also one of the more affordable ($9 for six wines).

The wine tasting takes place in the lounge area before you enter the Werf restaurant and is available for out-of-house guests also, so even if you’re not staying at Boschendal this is a great option to experience the property and some of the best wines on offer in the neighbourhood!

The Werf Restaurant

If you time your visit right, the Werf restraurant (Weds-Sat for lunch) was another one of my highlight experience in the winelands. The restaurant sources 95% of their produce from the organic farm on the property and the outdoor tables even face the extensive gardens below, so you can see exactly where your fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs are coming from.

We opted for the three course meal with matching wines and each course was a new journey into gastronomic goodness. I’d highly recommend the experience for fellow foodies.

Plan your stay

If you’re looking for a luxurious getaway that isn’t overly fancy and more about the comfortability of a countryside escape, I’d highly recommend Boschendal. Even if you don’t plan to stay the property is a must visit whilst in the cape winelands, so be sure to drop in for lunch or a tasting on an afternoon. The estate is located between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch so a car is necessary for your visit.

Werf cottages – $300 AUD per cottage, per night

Lunch at The Werf – $45 AUD for three courses

Wine Tasting – $9 for six wines