I fell in love with Franschhoek a long time ago. My first visit was back in 2003 while we were living in the Cayman Islands and in South Africa on holiday. Having been to many wine valleys since then, Franschhoek still captures my heart and I have a constant yearning to return to this magnificent valley that has created special memories over the years.
Is it just me or do you sometimes feel that the hectic pace of city life becomes a bit overwhelming? Please don’t get me wrong – I absolutely adore living in Cape Town and enjoy everything the Mother City has to offer.
But sometimes, a change of scenery is needed to soothe one’s weary city-dwelling body, mind and soul; a place where you can relax, recharge and just breathe. I recently discovered the perfect place to do just that. And it’s just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town so it’s perfect for a weekend getaway. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion with a loved one or enjoy some new adventures with your besties, Essere Lodge is the place to be and makes for an ideal country stay.
Winter is a magical time in the Cape winelands. Life out in the country seems to slow down to a gentler pace. Vines are hibernating; leafless trees stand like sentinels with majestic mountains as their backdrop, sometimes topped with a light dusting of snow. Roaring fireplaces and robust red wines take centre stage, along with hearty and delicious winter menus that set your soul on fire.
But when the cold, wintry weather sets in, there really is no need to go into full hibernation mode. Especially when Dornier Bodega Restaurant at Dornier Wines in the Stellenbosch winelands is offering a tantalizing 2 course Winter menu for R225 pp or R295 pp for 3 courses. Yes, you read that right!
I was kindly invited to sample their 3 course seasonal lunch at Bodega Restaurant and since I couldn’t resist, I happily accepted the invitation. It really had been too long since my last visit to this lovely wine estate.
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