The year 2020 has been a challenging year for us all. But life does go on and many people are starting to live life beyond the four walls of their homes.
I was recently invited to experience the #warmheart of beautiful Stellenbosch as part of the innovative #SupportStellenbosch campaign (more about that in a moment), and what I found truly warmed my heart and soul. People were out once again, enjoying themselves in restaurants, hotels and at wine estates.
International visitors may start trickling in soon, but the road to recovery is long and that is why locals need to support the hard-hit wine and hospitality industries that were dealt a severe blow during the nationwide lockdown.
You can’t miss them!
Stellenbosch took the lead by quickly adapting and adopting rigorous recommended hygiene and sanitary protocols in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, becoming the first destination in South Africa to be awarded the Safe Travels Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Evidence of this could be seen at the establishments that we visited, all adhering to strict safety and hygiene protocols.
The #SupportStellenbosch campaign is brilliant in that it encourages locals to support local businesses, experience all that the historic town has to offer and to share the message with the world that Stellenbosch really is open for business and welcoming visitors. One part of the campaign features participating restaurants where you can earn and spend your Stellenbucks, as they’re called, by using SnapScan.
Being rewarded for dining out? Yes please! Find out all the details here. Special deals, experiences and more can be found on the Visit Stellenbosch website. We have so many world-class gems on our doorstep that are just waiting for you to explore and experience.
We had the pleasure of being hosted by some of the members of the scenic Stellenbosch Wine Route, the oldest wine route in South Africa. These included Neethlingshof Wine Estate, Lanzerac Wine Estate, Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel & Spa, Clos Malverne Wine Estate, The House of J.C. Le Roux, Stellenbosch On Foot and Hamm & Uys Eatery at Blaauwklippen Vineyards.
Our Stellenbosch experience began on Friday at the beautiful Neethlingshof Wine Estate to try their Winter “A Flash Food, Slow Wine Pairing, five bite-sized dishes with a South African twist that are paired with five superb wines… a delicious way to start the weekend! The Summer option will be available soon and they also offer a pairing for kids. Bookings are advised, especially on weekends.
Our next stop took us to lovely Lanzerac Wine Estate. Their rich history and legacy dates back to 1692 and is a popular wine tourism destination in the idyllic Jonkershoek Valley.
Monique took us through a delicious Wine & Chocolate Pairing in their luxurious yet relaxed Tasting Room. The unique tasting includes five premium wines that paired perfectly with a selection of artisanal chocolates.
Step into another world when checking in at the stunning 5-star Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel & Spa (33 Church Street). A warm smile and welcome awaited us, along with a glass of sparkling wine and roaring fire.
Our Deluxe Room was simply gorgeous, complete with a private balcony, extra-length king bed, luxurious linen and underfloor heating in the en-suite Victorian-style bathroom with bespoke amenities. This provided a relaxing haven after a busy day of exploring.
This bed appears to have magic qualities! 
Early morning coffee overlooking the pool.
Helena’s Restaurant, rated the top African Restaurant in Stellenbosch, has two adjoining dining areas within Coopmanhuijs, offering diners a relaxed yet elegant dining affair. We enjoyed creamy cappuccinos and Salmon Eggs Royale on both mornings. Cooked to perfection with attentive service throughout our stay, this was the best way to begin each day. Dinner was delicious and highly recommended. I’ll go into more depth about our stay in another blog post.
Saturday saw us taking a lovely drive through the scenic Devon Valley to Clos Malverne Wine Farm for an Ice Cream & Wine Pairing. It may sound unusual, but paired with their award-winning wines and dreamy homemade ice-cream with South African flavours, this tasting is a must!
Sat on their wraparound balcony, the vineyards are right in front of you with a picture-perfect view of the valley and mountains. Pure bliss! Their restaurant is reopening in October (check online or call them for the exact date). While the food and wine pairings will no longer be offered (this excludes the ice cream & wine pairing), other dishes will be on the menu as well as piping-hot pizzas from their recently built pizza oven.
The House of J.C. Le Roux is as popular as ever, offering their fabulous MCC, along with their wide range of sparkling wines.
We were treated to a moreish MCC and Nougat Tasting. Hubby opted for the sparkling wines instead as he likes his bubbles sweeter than I do. We made our way upstairs for a decadent lunch at Cucina Di Giovanni. This menu has something for everyone. Be sure to arrive hungry as their servings are generous and very tasty.
The setting is super relaxed with spectacular views of the vineyards and mountains and the service is on point. Bookings are advisable for both J.C. Le Roux tastings and pairings and lunch at the restaurant.
The rain returned on Sunday morning when we were due to join Juliana from Stellenbosch On Foot for a Historical Walking Tour of the town. We have enjoyed one or two walking tours here before, but we learn something new each time.
Juliana is a Stellenbosch native, so she had some extra stories and places to share with us. The Eerste River was included in the itinerary and it is the first time that we had ever stopped here. Highly recommend this tour as you listen to fascinating stories and get to know more about the various characters that shaped Stellenbosch’s rich history.
The Eerste River 
Verbatim Books
The smallest National Monument plaque in Stellenbosch. 
Founded in 1682, Blaauwklippen is one of the oldest wine farms in Stellenbosch. A recent addition to the local cuisine scene, Hamm & Uys offers farm-to-table elegance with a fresh spin on Cape classics.
The dynamic duo, TV chefs and creative caterers Johnny Hamman and Marius Uys, take country casual food to the next level with creative flair and modern touches inspired by their global culinary experiences. This is a sensory feast not to be missed!
I’ll be sharing more about our wine-derful weekend in Stellenbosch… watch this space. A big thank you to Visit Stellenbosch and their members for graciously hosting us. It was such a joy to see the wine and hospitality industries slowly but surely getting back to business and doing what they love best.
Disclaimer: I was invited by Visit Stellenbosch and Travel To South Africa for a two-night stay to explore Stellenbosch and showcase that the town is indeed a safe travel destination. All views and images are my own unless otherwise stated.
#VisitStellenbosch #SupportStellenbosch #SouthAfricaisTravelReady
