To say 2018 has been a busy year would be an understatement. End of year fatigue has set in for many people, and I too feel rather exhausted at times.
If you also feel this way and fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city before the silly season arrives, then I have just the place for you.
I recently discovered a tranquil and relaxing haven in the beautiful Cape Winelands region of Wellington, a place where you can truly “get away from it all”. Let me to introduce you to the enchanting and exquisite Andreas Wine Estate.
The often overlooked wine region boasts some of the best wine producers in South Africa, creating not only award-winning wines, but also brandy, whisky, gin and craft beer.
This is where you will find Andreas Wine Estate, a hidden gem situated in the picturesque Bovlei Valley just outside the town of Wellington. Find yourself in the heart of wine country after a mere one hour drive from Cape Town. Surrounded by 4.5 hectares of vineyards and lush gardens, prepare to relax and make yourself at home in the elegant 18th century guesthouse.
Henry, the charming Guesthouse Manager, is perfectly suited to this position. He has a natural ability to make you feel welcome and is incredibly passionate about what he does. He says that being at Andreas doesn’t feel like work at all and revels in chatting to his guests and sharing little anecdotes about the estate.
Hubby and I arrived on a scorcher of a spring day (think 40 degrees plus!) and were only too happy to enter the beautifully furnished and cool interior. Henry gave us a brief tour of the downstairs area before showing us to our opulent en-suite bedroom.
Dating as far back as 1799, many of the original features of the beautifully refurbished country house have been lovingly restored. The result is a harmonious blend of old world charm and stylish decor and furnishings. I fell in the love the moment I stepped inside!
The downstairs area features two spacious lounge areas with plush couches, board games, books and fireplaces; a perfect spot to curl up and relax with a good book and glass of Andreas Shiraz beside a roaring fire in winter.
Wine tastings can take place in either of these lounges, or at the long wooden table in the grand entrance hall. Wine tastings, vineyard and cellar tours are by appointment so be sure to call ahead in time.
The upstairs area boasts another spacious lounge area that is filled with natural light and a lovely space to relax, as well as four luxurious and modern en-suite bedrooms.
Each room is named after a different grape varietal. As we entered Mourvedre, I gasped in sheer delight. Seeing the images online is one thing, but seeing it with your own eyes is so much better!
Exquisitely decorated, the loft-style bedroom allows the natural light in through the well-placed windows in the roof. We were fortunate to have breathtaking views of the serene garden and vineyards.
The recently renovated bathrooms are simply stunning, offering a free-standing bath (ours had a pretty garden view) a large walk-in shower and Charlotte Rhys toiletries – yes please!
The contemporary space features modern amenities such as plush beds with Egyptian cotton linen, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, mini-bar, laptop safe, flat screen TV with DSTV and USB in every bedroom. The elegant country house certainly lives up to its 4-star luxury status.
For the tall ones out there like hubby and myself, be prepared to bend a bit when moving through to the bathroom due to the slanted ceiling.
After settling in, hubby headed straight for the sparkling, cool swimming pool while I enjoyed a wine tasting with Lawrence White, Andreas’ knowledgeable Sales Manager as Shaun Meyeridricks, their master winemaker, wasn’t there that day. The one wine varietal that they create has been exceptionally crafted. I particularly enjoyed the Andreas Shiraz 2014; an easy drinking wine that is smooth on the palate and doesn’t have an overly smoky or peppery taste.
The 750ml bottles are all sold out, so get your orders in for the Magnums before they too sell out. The Andreas Shiraz 2015 is definitely more “punchy” with spice, black pepper, dark chocolate and coffee flavours. Read here for more information on their wines.
The gorgeous swimming pool was the only place to be on such a hot day and we happily spent a few hours in this cool oasis, lazing around the pool, surrounded by tranquil and lush gardens. And yes, I was sipping on some divine Andreas Shiraz 😉 I think I spent most of the time in the pool rather than out!
As Andreas does not offer a dinner option, we popped in next door to Pize e Vino at Val du Charron Wine & Olive Estate. We had been here a few times for lunch, but this was the first time we enjoyed dinner while experiencing breathtaking sunset views with the mountains and vineyards as a spectacular backdrop.
After a fabulous night’s sleep in the lavish bed, we awoke to another stunner of a day and opted to sit outdoors on the patio overlooking the gardens while enjoying our breakfast. You order your breakfast the day before by completing a simple form, ticking your preferences, along with the time you would like to start breakfast. Fresh fruit and yoghurt, juice, various coffees, smoked salmon, eggs, bacon and mushrooms are just some of the yummy choices. It was a great way to begin our day.
As with most things in life, our short but sweet stay had come to an end. But not before another dip in the pool! Andreas Wine Estate is perfect for a romantic getaway or ideal for a group of up to 8 to explore the surrounding area. Whether you are keen on golfing, hiking, cycling, food, wine and more, stay at Andreas and enjoy peace and serenity, along with luxurious accommodation and warm country hospitality. They also cater for small, exclusive functions and weddings. Have you been to stay at this lovely wine estate? Or perhaps said your “I do” here? I would love to know so feel free to tell me about in the comments section 🙂
Now, who is ready to WIN a fantastic PRIZE?
COMPETITION ALERT!
I have a fabulous PRIZE to give away to one lucky reader and their partner. Thanks to the lovely people at Andreas Wine Estate, they are sponsoring a one night stay for two people in the exquisite guesthouse including breakfast. How divine is that? Want to win? Here’s how to enter.
Entering is super easy!
- Like the Living It Up CT and Andreas Wine Estate Facebook pages. Comment on the Living It Up CT Facebook page and tag the lucky person you will take along should you be the lucky winner. Sharing is caring, so feel free to share the competition with your friends using the hashtag #AndreasWines. One entry per person please.
- Subscribe to my blog www.livingitupct.com to receive notifications of new articles and exciting competitions. This will be verified, so please make sure you are a subscriber or you won’t be in the running to win.
T&C’s
The competition opens on Friday, 9 November 2018 and closes on Friday, 16 November 2018. The lucky winner will be announced on Monday, 19 November 2018.
Competition is open to all South African residents over the age of 18 years.
The prize is valid for stays from January 2019 to end of May 2019. As the prize is subject to availability, booking well in advance is recommended.
The prize is a one stay for two guests including breakfast.
The prize cannot be exchanged for cash or any other items.
Transport to and from Andreas Wine Estate is not included and all other food and drinks to be settled by the guest directly.
Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Happy entering and good luck! 😉
Please note – I was invited to stay at Andreas Wine Estate by Angela Croft for review purposes and kindly hosted by Henry. All views are my own and based on personal experiences. Images are my own unless otherwise indicated.
Yours in Travel, Food and Wine
xoxo
