Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway is a beautiful and tranquil haven situated on a working fruit and wine farm. Travelling through the small town of Rawsonville in the Western Cape, there are vineyards as far as the eye can see. You’ll soon arrive at a signpost instructing you to drive another 5km before you arrive at your cottage or campsite. Since it was the middle of winter and I’m not a camping kinda girl (Glamping – yes! Camping – no!), we stayed in a self-catering cottage that was unbelievably adorable and charming.

The drive to the hideaway is a slow but scenic one – the gravel road is narrow yet well maintained.  The river was flowing beautifully while the magnificent mountains looked down on us all the way. Naturally I had to stop for a photo moment or two!

Getting off the grid is very easy here. There is literally no cell reception. TVs and radios don’t exist in this tranquil oasis. For some this may cause a serious case of FOMO, but I found the break from social media and the outside world to be a welcome respite. I was able to fully enjoy the peace and beauty around me with no distractions and spend time with my family. The one thing I did do was take a whole bunch of photos!

Early morning strolls when it’s nearly zero degrees is freezing but so worth it when you find amazing works of art in nature.

Plenty of spacious lawns for kids to run around and play!

Our cute cottage called Tant Kappie – our home away from home for three nights.

The long June weekend was spent celebrating a few family birthdays that included some braais (barbeques), potjies (food cooked over coals in a three legged cast iron pot), bubbly, delicious cake and loads of laughter!

But it was also a chance to visit a few wine estates in the picturesque Breedekloof Wine Valley. So we left the men and kids behind for a few hours while the ladies set off to visit a wine estate or two. Deetlefs Wine Estate was the first stop on our list.

It is the second oldest wine estate in South Africa owned by the same family and has produced some incredible award-winning wines. We enjoyed a fun and informative wine tasting of various white, red and rosé wines, including their MCC Brut Pinotage.

Sit outdoors in the sunshine on the patio overlooking the lovely pond or stand inside at the counter while tasting. Do pop in for a visit when you’re in the Breedekloof Valley.

By now, our tummies were rumbling so we took a short drive to Jason’s Hill Private Cellar – the mountain and vineyard views from here are absolutely breathtaking.

This picturesque estate has much to offer including a tasting room, wine sales, restaurant, wedding venue, hiking trail and children’s play area to name a few.

The Bistro offers a variety of dishes based on seasonality that pairs well with their wine. As it was a sunny winter’s day, we sat outdoors on the balcony enjoying our lunch and amazing views of the Slanghoek Valley.

The Jason’s Creek Classic Red Blend 2015 paired really well with the bacon, blue cheese and fig preserve pizzas we shared. I made sure I had space for dessert and a good thing too, as the crème brúlée was delicious! Make sure you don’t miss out on visiting this lovely estate. It’s so easy to spend a couple of hours here enjoying the views, wine and food or a hike in the mountains if you’re more adventurous.

Back at the hideaway, spend some time relaxing in your fully equipped cottage beside the fire, perhaps with a book for company or have fun with family and friends while playing a board game or two. The resort is a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike, so take a stroll among nature’s beauty – the majestic mountains, flowing river, birdsong in the trees and fresh air do amazing things for the mind, body and soul.

I spent a few quiet moments sitting beside the river listening to the glorious sounds of nature. It’s amazing how much more you notice when you take time out to just sit, relax and breathe. It truly is a special place and offers the perfect escape from busy city living for a few days.

Other activities include mountain biking, bird-watching and hiking trails, as well as the famed trout fishing. The pristine Holsloot River flows through the picturesque Stettynskloof Valley while the mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop to one of the most highly regarded dry fly venues in the country. It’s clarity and free rising rainbow trout ensure that keen fishermen return to this trout haven time and again.

They have a new venue that caters for functions such as conferences and weddings. The small farm shop, Dwars-Bergrosie, sells a variety of homemade jams, preserves, seasonal fruit, biscuits, home-baked bread (be sure to order) and the odd things that you may have forgotten at home.

I’ve been told that you need to book ahead for the campsites, sometimes as long as one year in advance which just shows how popular this beautiful place is.

It is incredibly cold during winter, but the cottages have big fireplaces and electric blankets to keep you warm. I think a summer visit is a must! I can picture myself lazily lying beside the river or swimming in the crystal clear river pool to cool off.

Let me know if you’ve had the pleasure of staying at this stunning resort. And if you haven’t, I’d highly recommend you make a booking soon and experience this beautiful and tranquil place for yourself.