Stay at Boschendal Wine Estate

If you are looking for the perfect wine farm staycation this summer, Boschendal is the place to be! When I was approached with the opportunity to indulge in a memorable experience, I didn’t think twice about agreeing and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. So if you have any doubts and are looking for a reason to make that booking, this blog is the sign you’re looking for!

ABOUT THE FARM:

Boschendal Wine Estate is located in Franschhoek, one of the Western Cape’s iconic wine valleys which is about an hour and 20 minutes from Woodstock. The estate’s accommodation and history dates back to 1685 however, for they have done a remarkable job making a point to keep up with modernity which can be seen in the way the owners have renovated the cottages and operations on the farm whilst staying true to the ethos of sustainability.

While the farm offers cozy and luxury accommodation, it also hosts The Werf Restaurant, which I rank as one of the top tier restaurants I have visited in 2021.When I say my staycation was filled with wine, food, and peace, I mean it. This experience really was a wish list dream come true!

 

THE ARRIVAL:

My best friend and I decided to drive out early to the farm for check-in, which can be arranged with the farm in the event that you want to arrive early. Upon arrival we were directed to reception which was dripping in the finest Victorian-era design and decor. It was raining and the hospitality staff made provisions to provide umbrellas for guests and a golf cart which would collect our luggage and swiftly take us to our cottage – aptly referred to as a werf.

THE COTTAGES:

What I love about wine farm stays is how almost every estate I’ve visited nails the interior design. Boschendal is no different and they made sure to keep to the continuity of the farm’s sustainable yet homely ambience and theme. Our werf was decked from top to bottom with some form of state-of-the-art installation or luxury décor; from the gas stove accompanied by Le Creuset cookware to the bathroom and a big dining-room-cum-lounge area with a traditional fireplace and a bedroom to die for. The cottage is fairly spacious but manages to be perfectly cozy enough for a party of two.

As previously mentioned, the bedroom is heavenly.  Housing a queen bed with two bedside tables, a work desk and a conveniently designed vintage-style wardrobe, the aesthetic allows for them to dot the bedroom splashes of colour and the occasional surprise (like an electric blanket) without straying from its minimalist style.

The real winner, though, was the bathroom. With black and brown checkered tiling matching the black countertop twin basins; a generously sized shower with large brassy shower-head; a clawfoot bathtub sitting pretty in the center and similar brass plumbing throughout, the space keeps up with the rustic, vintage warmth of the cottage’s interior and furniture. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to mention the two vanity mirrors stationed above the basins for those of you who love to make sure everything is in place before walking out the bathroom. The showstopper, however, was the central floor-heating! Never in my life since I started my travel blogging, have I ever come across a heated bathroom floor.

ACTIVITIES:

For those who are new to my blog and my socials, you would know that I am always late for everything. For this staycation, we happened to switch it up and show up early for certain farm activities… only for the rain to completely derail our plan and force us to relax in our room while we waited for indoor activities listed on the itinerary.

Some activities you can enjoy on the farm include:

• Horseback riding
• Wine tasting
• Organic garden tour
• Bike Trails
• Hiking
• Picnics
• Summer night market

As stated before, due to the weather being garbage our horse-riding experience had to be cancelled and was replaced a farm tour instead. I love how quick-thinking the Boschendal hospitality in this instance and they managed to provide us with another worthwhile activity as opposed to just sending us back to our werf

WHERE TO EAT:

Boschendal wins in the food category! It is by far the best dining experience I’ve had in my life and that’s saying a lot considering I have dined at a lot of places. Boschendal hosts the Werf Restaurant which is a modern meets rustic-style restaurant with a bar and lounging area perfect for events or cocktails.

The restaurant overlooks the garden and 90% of the food and ingredients on the farm is harvested on site while the other 10% comes from local fresh producers and suppliers nearby. I wish I could name my favourite dish on the menu, but EVERYTHING is scrumptious and will have you drooling. Get a bottle of MCC while you are at it.

To cater to guests looking to be entertained while opting for lighter food options, there is the Deli where you can try delicious meals spanning from seafood to meat, pizza and burgers. They have also opened an online shop where you can order frozen foods prepared by the restaurant for you to heat up in the oven. This was provided to us on our last night on the farm. We enjoyed a generous serving of pasta for 2, beautifully cooked salmon and a hot, sticky malva pudding for dessert.

OVERALL THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCE:

I absolutely loved visiting Boschendal Wine Farm. Not only was the food delicious and the accommodation beautiful, but the staff was also accommodating and always ready to lend a helping hand to ensure our visit was as stress-free and as enjoyable as possible. As mentioned in my videos and IG posts, this estate is not for single visitors, and it is best enjoyed with a companion or as a family. It’s a place where you’re bound to look back and recall all beautiful, warm and fuzzy-feeling memories created with your loved ones.

A special side quest I’d recommend is a quick trip to the tangerine orchard. There is a shuttle available to take you – subject to arrangement with reception. Unfortunately, when we got there, they had already harvested most of the fruit but the whole experience was wonderful and quite fun all the same. Visiting Boschendal Wine Farm once in your life is a MUST in my opinion and I’d highly recommend you book a stay for at least 2 nights in order to fully immerse yourself in the experience.