rosendal winery and wellness centre

We started our drive and soon were stopping for photos — We started our drive but we soon
had to keep stopping for photos
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After our two nights at the Rosendal Winery, the drive to Altes Landhaus (Schoemanschoek, Oudtshoorn) was greater in distance and greater in beauty if the latter was at all possible.

The enormity of the endless, dry, arid mountain ranges, the unusual variety of colours, the ostriches, baboons and other animals we couldn’t identify, was captivating.

Altes Landhaus

We were staying in another boutique hotel, the Altes Landhaus, a large Victorian colonial style farmer’s ranch, beautifully restored and with gardens full of intense colours.

Everywhere in this ranch was huge including our room. I say room yet it was really three rooms. The bedroom, lounge and bathroom were all of equal size.

A nice touch was a decanter of sherry resting on a side table to refresh us.

Peace

The browny-red colours reminded us of Devon soil
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Both Rosendal and Altes have been so peaceful. It’s Autumn so guests are few; both hotels are in the middle of nowhere so there’s no noise apart from crickets, toads, tree frogs, endless bird song much of which is heard on David Attenborough’s documentaries, and the dinner gong.

For the next two nights we have a rest from fine dining and calories and plan the next stage of our journey – to Plettenberg Bay before setting course for Toby and Amy’s wedding in the Tala Private Game Reserve.

We’re so excited. We want to press the time accelerator.

Piers and Lin
Altes Landhaus
…on temporary leave of absence from
Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Beaucette Marina

You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.

Different rock formations everywhere
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The ranges rolled on for miles into the distance
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So hot, so dry, yet animals thrive here
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By now we are nearing our destination
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We arrive at Altes Landhaus
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Bougainvillea lined the 100m driveway
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Alternating red and white, a wall of colour was created — Alternating red and white, a wall of colour
was created
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Rosendal Winery and Wellness Centre

A Rosendal merlot — A Rosendal Merlot
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We drove the three hour journey across mountains, through gorges and along tightly circuitous passes in our Avis hire car to the gorgeous Rosendal Winery, a tiny eight room ‘boutique’ hotel in the middle of nowhere between Roberston and Ashton.

Blue skies

Although it’s Autumn, we’ve had the most wonderful weather since we arrived. It’s been in the mid-thirties centigrade with cloudless blue skies and gentle breezes to keep us cool.

Chef David

Dinner that evening was completely unexpected. Not that we were given dinner, but that its quality was simply outstanding.

I began asking questions to our waitress who told us the chef was her husband, and that he’d worked in many top restaurants in the UK and Europe.

Rosendal Winery and Wellness Centre
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‘Where in the UK?’ I asked. ‘The Vineyard at Stockcross,’ came the reply. ‘But that was our local restaurant,’ I replied. ‘When was he there?’

It transpired that Chef David was there from the very start of the Vinyard having come from the Savoy Grill and other one and two Michelin Star kitchens before that. No wonder the food was delectable.

Two nights

With two nights at Rosendal, we tasted (and drank) their wines, ate sumptuously, and subjected ourselves to various Spa treatments. Various ‘pink’ treatments for Lin and ‘muscle bashing’ massages for Piers. He ached the next day.

The evenings were spent watching vivid, shot silk sunsets whilst toads croaked, crickets chirruped, and birds sang their lullabies.

The Last Supper

Rosendal's infinity swimming pool — Rosendal’s infinity swimming pool

Chef David came to see us to discuss our last supper at Rosendal. We chose the tasting menu, menu Dégustation, but he insisted on making some changes given various courses we’d had previously.

It was divine. Eating on the veranda of a small boutique hotel in the middle of nowhere mountains, watching another sunset.

Bliss.

Piers and Lin
Rosendal Winery and Wellness Centre
…on temporary leave of absence from
Play d’eau
Fleming 55
Beaucette Marina

You can get in touch with us any time by using our Contact Form.