Craving an escape from the city? Somewhere with wide, open spaces, solitude and spectacular scenery? Haskell Vineyards is where you want to be, a special place on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain range in Stellenbosch in an area known as the Golden Triangle.
Haskell Vineyards has all the right ingredients for a slow Cape winelands getaway – charming accommodation, privacy, jaw-dropping views, warm hospitality, delicious food and award-winning wines. Less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, you’ll enter a blissful utopia where you can unplug, unwind and enjoy life’s simple, heavenly pleasures.
THE SWEET ART OF DOING NOTHING
Translated from Italian, dolce far niente means the ‘sweet art of doing nothing’. The art of doing nothing is highly underrated. Far from being wasteful, sometimes resting or doing nothing is the best thing you can do for your body and soul. The Cottage at Haskell Vineyards is the perfect space to disconnect to reconnect. Of course, it’s tempting to explore all that Stellenbosch has to offer, but what we really needed was a slow weekend.
Charming and romantic, The Cottage offers a tranquil sanctuary where you can forget about any worries, at least for a few days. This is country living at its best with the most gorgeous views and a stylish and comfortable interior, inviting you to put your feet up and relax. The welcome bottle of wine was a lovely touch.
The sweet scent of jasmine hangs in the air on the large outdoor verandah. I spent many a happy hour enjoying the breathtaking views from the comfort of the sun lounger; reading, sometimes chatting with Ryan or sipping a coffee or glass of wine. The estate rooster and hens paid us a few visits and often stayed within just a few metres of us. These birds know a thing or two about slow living.
Inside the loft-style self-catering apartment, you’ll find a 1-bedroom, open plan kitchenette, large dining table and a small bathroom with a shower and toilet. The large Queen size bed is comfortable with deluxe cotton linen. The Cottage can accommodate three people as there is a single bed in the upstairs loft, but I feel it’s more suited to a romantic getaway for two. * Not suitable for small children.
For chilly winter nights, the fireplace and comfy couch will keep you snug and warm. I battled with the intense Stellenbosch heat (I have a personal summer going on throughout the year, so staying cool is a must!) and wanted nothing more than to cool down in a swimming pool. There is talk about a pool being built in the future which would be a welcome addition.
Other amenities include air-conditioning, satellite TV, patio table and chairs and outdoor braai with firewood. Free Wi-Fi usually works well, but I highly suggest a digital detox – this place is perfect for it. There are some lovely coffee table books to page through and a few novels in case you’ve left yours at home.
Walking around the lovely gardens, I probably took about a gazillion photos of the Helderberg mountains, vineyards and a rather intriguing rock on the lawn where I was drawn to meditate during golden hour.
A vineyard stroll is a wonderful way to start or end your day, and there are a few marked hiking trails on the property. Look out for birds of prey gliding serenely in the sky, or the resident owl that swooped not far above our heads before settling in a nearby tree, giving us the once over to make sure we come in peace.
Located about 50m from The Cottage, The Residence is another accommodation option on the estate. A luxurious and stylish two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a host of modern amenities, it is ideal for a small family or group of friends.
LONGTABLE RESTAURANT
What would a weekend stay in the Cape winelands be without some gorgeous food and wine? Fortunately, Haskell Vineyards has both so there really is no need to leave the estate. Longtable Restaurant is a short stroll from The Cottage, but it’s located far enough so that you aren’t disturbed by visitors to the estate.
With panoramic views of the Helderberg mountains, leisurely al fresco meals are the order of the day. Take a seat and enjoy fresh, flavoursome dishes made from locally sourced organic produce and sustainable seafood. Your only job is to relax, knowing that your small plates, perfect for sharing, are made with love and the finest ingredients. This isn’t flashy food; it’s unpretentious and utterly delicious. Indoor seating is available should you prefer to be inside.
BREAKFAST BENEATH THE TREES
The concise breakfast menu offers a few unusual dishes such as Vegetable Pancake and creamy mushrooms, herbs and bean ragout. Ryan and I chose the Poached Egg with smoked tomato sauce, chorizo, marinated chickpeas, spinach and goat’s cheese. Not your usual bacon and egg breakfast, it was so good, as was my cappuccino. All were served with a smile by Eddie.
WINE TASTING AT HASKELL VINEYARDS? WINE NOT!
We returned to Longtable Restaurant late on Sunday morning for a wine tasting and lunch. The home of 5-star wines, Haskell Vineyards offers two ranges – the Dombeya Lifestyle range (6 wines) and the Haskell Flagship range (4 wines). Once again, al fresco was the way to go and seated beneath the trees on the outdoor patio, vivacious Fifi introduced us to their exceptional wines.
With a smile as big as her bubbly personality, we began with the Lily Rosé 2022, a new personal favourite that I’d been sipping on the day before. Winning Gold in this year’s Rosé Wine & Spirit Challenge, this luscious pink wine is the perfect summer sipper (R95 per bottle).
For me, the standout wines in the Haskell Flagship range included Tim Atkin 2021 (92 points) and Platter Guide 2022 award-winner (4 ½ stars) Pillars 2016. Described by Fifi as “an orgasm in a glass”, this 100% Syrah is as sensual and bold as it gets. Another award-winning wine, the IV 2020, is a magnificent blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
White wine lovers are not left out, with Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and Class of 76 Chardonnay 2021 in the Dombeya Lifestyle range, and the Anvil 2020 in the Haskell Flagship range – 100% Stellenbosch Chardonnay with a multitude of glittering awards.
The wine tasting prices are reasonable at R75 per person for 4 Lifestyle range wines + 1 Flagship wine. R95 per person will get you 3 Flagship wines + 1 Lifestyle wine. Add a delicious cheese & charcuterie platter for two for just R250. The setting, sublime wines and fun, attentive service make for a delightful wine-tasting experience.
LET’S DO LUNCH AT LONGTABLE!
Dining at Longtable Restaurant is an absolute delight; small plates to share that are served with flair. A sensory feast with enticing flavour combinations and fresh, vibrant colours. All are beautifully presented so snap a pic or three before tucking in. Don’t be fooled by the small plates concept – arrive hungry with plenty of belly space.
The only “issue” I foresee you having is which delectable dishes to choose. The curated seasonal menu has a little bit of something for everyone. Will it be Panko Spiced Chevin or Chicken Liver Parfait to start? I couldn’t resist the Zesty Potato Gnocchi with pea velouté, truffle oil, parmesan chip and pinenuts. I’ve eaten my fair share of gnocchi and can say this one did not disappoint. The gnocchi dish was just perfect – light and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Ryan enjoyed the Chicken Liver Parfait with stone fruit chutney, pistachio nuts, ciabatta croutes and wild rocket. We shared the Panko Spiced Chevin with roasted and pickled beets, spiced pecans, rocket and balsamic reduction. The winner for me? The gnocchi, of course!
While these are essentially small plate dishes, they are quite filling so choosing your next couple of dishes is of utmost importance. You want to make sure you have enough room for dessert!
The symphony of sensational flavours with vibrant colours continued with the Seafood Bisque, BBQ Pork Belly and Molasses Seared Duck Breast. All were so divine, but the standout dish award goes to the BBQ Pork Belly with a punchy ponzu and citrus slaw, Granny Smith apple and charred corn.
By now, we were full to bursting and as happy as any foodies can be after such a tantalising experience. Despite this, we simply had to try something sweet. Chocolate dreams come true with Chocolate Filled Choux with chocolate mousse, caramelia crémeux, pecan nuts and salted sesame snap.
From November to April, enjoy sumptuous picnic baskets, pizza and wine on the lush lawn overlooking the vines and mountains. We ordered pizza for dinner on our second night. Nothing beats a wood-fired pizza and while I didn’t take a photo, I can say they didn’t stand a chance! It must be the fresh country air that makes one extra hungry, plus they were super delish!
As the wine estate is very popular and space is limited, reservations for Longtable Restaurant, wine tastings, picnics and pizza on the lawn are essential.
To escape the ordinary and experience the extraordinary, book your next getaway at The Cottage or The Residence (two nights at the very minimum). Replenish your body and soul by adopting the pace of nature, taking things nice and slow. Nature therapy, along with great food, wine and company are all you need for an unforgettable country escape. That’s how you have a slow weekend at Haskell Vineyards.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES
Haskell Vineyards office hours are Monday to Friday: 09h00 – 17h00
Address: Annandale Rd, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, 7600
GPS coordinates: S34°0’13.9” E018°51’38.4”
Tel: +27 (0) 21 881 3895
Cell: +27 (0) 60 997 9399
Email: info@haskellvineyards.co.za
Restaurant Email: longtable@haskellvineyards.co.za
Website: www.haskellvineyards.com
A huge thank you to Barbara Mackenzie (Operational Manager extraordinaire), JP (Restaurant Manager) and the Haskell Vineyards team for a sublime stay. The break from real life was much needed and we have your warm, generous hospitality to thank for a wonderfully relaxing time. Let me know when the pool is ready! 😉
DISCLOSURE: I was invited by Liquid Pulse Marketing & Communications to review Haskell Vineyards. All views and images are my own unless stated otherwise. Prices are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change without prior notice.
Until the next adventure!
Yours in Travel, Food & Wine
Nadine xoxo
