Our Annual Winter Winelands Educational

There’s something special about our annual Winter Winelands Educational Outing!

Every year, we swap our desks for the vineyards and spend a day experiencing some of the incredible properties we proudly recommend to you. It’s a chance to reconnect as a team, strengthen our relationships with our partners, and, most importantly, experience our products first-hand.

To make the day even more exciting, the itinerary remained a surprise for everyone — except Elisa, who carefully planned the outing from start to finish. From boutique stays to iconic estates, each stop showcased a different side of the Cape Winelands and reminded us why this region continues to be a favourite with travellers from around the world.

Majeka House, Stellenbosch

Our first stop was Majeka House, an incredible boutique hotel situated just outside Stellenbosch, close to the Stellenbosch Golf Course. Recently added to The Living Journey Collection, alongside properties such as Chapter House and The Robertson Small, Majeka House offers the intimacy of a boutique hotel with the facilities of a much larger property.

From the outside, you would never guess that the hotel is home to 23 quirkily decorated rooms and suites.

Accommodation options include 12 Deluxe Rooms with serene colours, plush bedding, and clean wooden finishes; five vibrant Pool Rooms surrounding one of the property's pools; two playful Pool Suites, one with a Flamingo theme and the other with a Peacock theme; three tranquil Mountain Rooms; and one Mountain Suite with views of the Stellenbosch mountains.

Majeka House is particularly family-friendly, offering baby cots, extra beds, and interleading room options.

The property features two swimming pools — one located near the Pool Rooms and Suites, and a heated pool adjacent to the spa, with plans underway for an additional plunge pool.

The spa offers three treatment rooms, including a couples' massage room, as well as access to the large indoor pool, steam room, and sauna. A hairdresser is also available on-site, making it an ideal option for wedding parties.

For small meetings and events, there is a conference room accommodating up to 15 delegates.

Another highlight is the in-house restaurant, Plentitude, which is open to both hotel guests and the public throughout the day and makes use of homegrown herbs. A signature touch for hotel guests is the complimentary fresh cake served every afternoon with coffee.

Majeka House combines thoughtful hospitality, quirky design, and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

Blaauwklippen Manor, Stellenbosch

Our next stop took us to Blaauwklippen Manor, located on a historic wine estate whose story dates back to 1682.

Guests can choose between two accommodation options: the Manor House and the Jonkershuis, both beautifully restored and equipped with modern amenities.

The Manor House offers three room categories: three Standard Rooms, three Superior Rooms, and two Deluxe Rooms.

The Standard Rooms are ideal for solo travellers or couples looking to spend a night in the Winelands, while the Deluxe Rooms offer additional space, a bathroom with both a bath and shower, and a private terrace overlooking the gardens. The Superior Rooms offer a similar layout with even more space.

Adjacent to the Manor House, the Jonkershuis features three Luxury Rooms with interleading options, making them ideal for families or friends travelling together. These spacious rooms include a living area, a bathroom with both a bath and shower, and a private terrace.

The estate boasts beautiful gardens, a heated swimming pool, and a poolside lounge with a bar. Children of all ages are welcome.

Just a short stroll away, guests can enjoy the tasting room, the popular weekend farmers' market, De Blaauwe Kitchen, a bike park, and a fitness centre. While these facilities are operated independently from the hotel, the fitness centre is complimentary for hotel guests from Monday to Friday.

Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch

Few estates capture the essence of luxury quite like Delaire Graff Estate.

Acquired by entrepreneur, art collector, and diamond magnate Laurence Graff in 2003, the estate has been transformed into one of South Africa's most renowned wine destinations.

His passion for art and design is evident throughout the property, with works by South African artists from his private collection displayed across the estate.

The drive up to Delaire Graff immediately gives an impression of its scale. The public area includes the Delaire Graff Restaurant, Lorenzo’s, the Wine Lounge, the Graff Diamonds boutique, and several other shops, making it a popular destination for both local and international visitors.

Further up the road, the atmosphere becomes noticeably quieter and more exclusive.

The hotel offers just 16 spacious lodges, each featuring a bathroom with both a bath and separate shower, a living area with a television and fireplace, and a private terrace with a heated plunge pool. Golf carts are available for guests who wish to explore the gardens and vineyards.

During our visit, we enjoyed lunch at Hoseki Restaurant, where we experienced authentic Japanese cuisine of an exceptionally high standard. The restaurant is one of the culinary highlights of the estate and is also open to day visitors.

For guests with high expectations, Delaire Graff is certainly an exceptional choice.

Val du Charron, Wellington

After a wonderful day exploring the Winelands, our final stop took us to Wellington and Val du Charron.

The hotel is a great option for groups travelling together, with many of the rooms located close to one another. Following recent renovations, a new section with a more modern look and feel has been introduced.

For FIT travellers, the Coach House and Manor House are particularly appealing. Both offer beautiful accommodation with spectacular views over Wellington and the surrounding mountains.
With competitive rates and a slightly different Winelands setting, Wellington is a fantastic option for repeater clients looking to explore a new side of the Cape.

Val du Charron offers two restaurants on-site. The Grill Room is a steakhouse with a spacious balcony overlooking the surrounding landscape, while Pizza Vista serves authentic Italian cuisine with a South African flair.

One of the property's standout features is its family-friendly setup. The main hotel offers family rooms suitable for two adults and two children under the age of 12, while the Coach House and Manor House provide accommodation options for families wanting to stay close together.

Guests have access to a large swimming pool with a pool bar, as well as a smaller pool featuring water play elements for children.

In addition to the many facilities on offer, guests are welcomed by a warm and friendly team. As a working wine farm, wine tastings can be booked on arrival, offering guests the opportunity to sample wines that are perfect for everyday enjoyment and presented with great care.

From surprise stops and exceptional hospitality to memorable meals and plenty of laughter along the way, this year's Winter Winelands Educational was another reminder of how important it is to experience our products first-hand.

A huge thank you to all our partners for their warm welcomes and generous hospitality, and to Elisa for keeping the itinerary under wraps and making the day such a success.

A special thank you also goes to the team at Travel Black for providing our vehicle, driver, and guide for the day. Their professionalism, local knowledge, and seamless organisation ensured that we were in excellent hands from start to finish, allowing the team to relax and fully enjoy the experience.

We returned to the office inspired, full of fresh ideas, and even more excited to share these incredible properties with our clients.

Until our next adventure!