I fell in love with Vondeling (meaning ‘foundling’) long before I had the pleasure of visiting the wine farm at the foot of the Paardeberg Mountain. One sip of their luscious Rosé and I was hooked! I had yet to taste the rest of their extensive and award-winning range. This was one place that had been on my wine tripping list for a while, yet I’d never managed to get there. So many wine farms, so little time!
When the invitation arrived in my inbox to join the Vondeling team and a group of wine-loving bloggers for a day of discovery AND a night’s stay in the Farmhouse, my acceptance was a resounding YES! Not only was I going to visit Vondeling Wines, but I was also going to get an insider’s look at this hidden gem.
And what a gem it is! Images and videos only capture so much. Arriving on a glorious, sunny autumn day, we were met with beautiful vineyard and mountain views. Bye bye big city; hello country! I felt right at home as we each settled into our comfortable and beautifully decorated en-suite bedrooms, followed by coffee and rusks in the large kitchen.
Warmly welcomed by Mariaan and Zelda, we chatted about the day’s activities before meeting up with charismatic Managing Director and Owner of Vondeling, Julian Johnson, for a Fynbos walk through the vineyards towards Paardeberg Mountain.
A born raconteur with a dry wit, Julian who is originally from the UK, regaled us with stories about how he came to own Vondeling and shared humorous anecdotes about the farm and its people as we walked amongst the vines.
The walk turned into a rather vigorous hike (read: much huffing and puffing from moi!) especially as we neared the mountain slopes, but it was very much worth it. We were rewarded with breathtaking views and a vibrant, dazzling tapestry of rich red and golden autumn hues.
A truly beautiful sight that became even more special with a picnic stop to sip on Vondeling’s crisp Rurale Blanc de Blanc, a Mèthode Ancestral , a first in South Africa.
Herman and Garth taking their pouring very seriously. 
Pure magic in a bottle! 
Cheers to vines, views, great company and divine bubbly!
We met up with Senior Winemaker, the charming and friendly Matthew Copeland, in the cool interior of the cellar. He explained how he likes to keep the wine-making process real. “No gimmicks, no sale pitches; just blood, sweat and tears.” Matthew’s evident passion and love for wine-making results in the consistent creation of superb award-winning vintages.
DID YOU KNOW? Vondeling is a Conservation Champion and a proud member of the WWF-SA Biodiversity & Wine Initiative. They are one of nearly 40 wine farms across the Western Cape that has been awarded Championship status. This exclusive and hard-earned status requires long-term conservation commitments and innovations in water and energy efficiency, among others.
“Vondeling was a proud supporter of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative, established in 2004 to promote awareness and participation in driving conservation minded farming practices. In 2014, Vondeling was awarded Championship status within this organisation.
Between 2005 and 2015, with the support of the WWF and BWI extension officers, a strong foundation of wine farms implementing biodiversity-friendly farming practices has been established. One third of the wine industry now has environmental management plans in place, co-developed with WWF, together with training to deliver on these guidelines.
In 2016, the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative ceased to exist as its initial mandate had been fulfilled. However, Vondeling continues its commitment to conservation of our unique biodiversity under the banner of the WWF as “Conservation Champions.”
Keep an eye out for the fynbos-loving Cape sugarbird and the iconic protea logo on the wine bottles of WWF Conservation Champions. This demonstrates their dedication to conservation of the Cape Floral Kingdom’s unique biodiversity – home to over 9 500 different plant species of which 70% occur nowhere else in the world.
Read more about Vondeling’s commitment to conservation, biodiversity and sustainability. They truly deserve their Conservation Champion status!
Our next stop was the Tasting room and Chapel, just a short drive from the farm. Mariaan Harris is in charge of Weddings and Events that take place in St Clements Chapel and the Tasting room. Her approach is very hands on with a can-do attitude and I doubt that much can faze this lovely woman. After showing us the pretty chapel, complete with a thatch roof, high steeple, beautiful stained glass windows and church bells, we strolled through the charming garden to the Tasting room, taking in the scenic views of the Paardeberg and surrounding countryside.
The Vondeling wine tasting room is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. The elegant space features a high timber ceiling with modern décor, yet the ambience is cosy with old Cape Dutch influences and block-mounted. During the summer months, the shaded verandah is perfect for a leisurely wine tasting, while the roaring fireplace sets the scene during the colder months.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tutored tasting given to us by Matthew. There are two tastings to choose from – the Premium Tasting (R50 per person) and the Botanical Selection (R30 per person) featuring their flagship wines Babiana (white) and Monsonia (red), named after plants on the Red Data List that are endemic to the Paardeberg Mountain, namely Babiana noctiflora and Erica hippurus.
My favourite Rosé! 
Award-winning Bowwood Pinotage.
We tasted about ten of Vondeling’s wines while Matthew gave us more info about each wine. We were fortunate to be treated to two of their Special Releases that are not available for tasting. The Bowwood Pinotage 2016 completely bowled me over with its intense plum and berry bouquet, hint of sweet cloves and vanilla oak. Along with the soft acidity and finely textured tannins, this superb wine will please any Pinotage lover.
Notably, the 2015 Bowwood won the Michelangelo Trophy Winner for Best Pinotage in South Africa. At R370 per bottle, it is definitely worth adding to your wine collection, as is the Philosophie 2015 at R800 per bottle; a full flavoured modern wine with incredible finesse. Needless to say, I was floating up in wine heaven!
Read more about their wines here.
We eagerly tucked into the delicious Charcuterie and Cheese Board platter. The generous serving filled with meat and cheesy delights, as well as figs, pates and olives, easily feeds two people and is a steal at just R165!
Back at the Farmhouse, we enjoyed a bit of free time to explore, nap or relax in the serene surroundings. I decided to go for a walk, taking photos as I enjoyed the tranquility of being in the peaceful countryside.
The dreamy Farmhouse and lush surroundings just make you want to move in permanently! Dating back to 1704, it comprises seven en-suite bedrooms (sleeping 14 people). All are luxuriously appointed and very comfortable.
The fully equipped kitchen is a foodie lover and aspiring chef’s dream and includes a long table in the dining area for festive dinner parties. Nearby you will find the sitting room with a cosy fireplace, comfy couches and coffee table books that just beg for your attention. The recreation room houses a snooker table and a table tennis table, and has satellite TV as well as Wi-Fi.
Surrounding the Farmhouse are picture-perfect gardens with lovely shaded terraces, a 20-metre swimming pool, braai (BBQ) lapa area, croquet and boulle courts and spot-lit tennis court. There is something for everyone and you can do as much or as little as you want. One night simply isn’t enough and I want to return right now! If you are planning your wedding or a special event at Vondeling, enquire about availability as the Farmhouse is conveniently located with easy access to the Tasting room function venue.
The balmy weather continued into the evening where we gathered around the lapa area for a true South African braai (BBQ) with Julian, Matthew, Mariaan and various family and Vondeling team members. It was a wonderful night, filled with chats, much laughter and of course, Vondeling wines! It is clear to see why Vondeling is a success. The team is like one big family, with much respect for one another and a great passion and love for what they do. I truly felt at home and appreciated the time they took to spend the evening with us.
Breakfast was a casual affair the following morning. I know I wasn’t quite ready to leave this countryside paradise. I sensed that most of us could easily have stayed another night. Vondeling has certainly captured my heart and I can’t wait to return, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Do yourself a favour lovelies – grab a group of friends or family and take a scenic drive to discover this lovely hidden gem in the Paarl winelands. It is only a 45 minute drive from Cape Town that will make you wonder why you hadn’t been to visit sooner!
They often have fabulous wine and food pairings and cooking classes, so stay up to date with what is happening by subscribing to their newsletter and checking their website for regular updates.
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Yours in Travel, Food & Wine
xoxo
Please note: Thank you Zelda Furstenberg of Liquid Pulse Marketing & Communications for inviting me to the bloggers stay over and to the wonderful Vondeling Wines team for being such gracious hosts. All views and images are my own unless stated otherwise.
