On a sunny Friday afternoon in early August, my fellow wine aficionados and I set course to Wellington, a quaint little town less than an hour away from Cape Town, where we stayed in Val du Charron’s luxury 4-star guesthouse.

With stunning, sweeping views of vineyards, and olive orchards as far as the eye can see, this lavish wine estate, a member of Cape Country Routes, is a must-visit for any and all oenophiles.

After an easy and effortless check-in, we ambled along the pretty pathways, where we explored more of the picturesque estate. We took advantage of the surprisingly warm winter’s day and headed to Pizza Vista, which is based at the estate, where we sipped on exquisite wines and munched on tasty pizzas. In between our bantering and laughter, there were moments where we just sat in silence – in awe of the beauty of our serene surroundings.

With full bellies and happy hearts, we leisurely strolled back to the guesthouse where we were in for a marvelous treat: Val du Charron’s unique and interactive Theatre of Wine wine tasting experience. The wine tasting features The Black Countess (a professional actress) and consists of “three acts”:

• Four White Legs: New World white wine blend
• Pieter Erasmus – den Deen: Cape blend
• The Black Countess: Rhone-style blend

If thrill, scandal and intrigue are what you are after, I highly recommend you read more about the stories behind these blends – or better yet, visit the estate where you can see the countess dressed in her full Victorian attire.*

After being wholly engrossed in this special wine tasting experience, we headed to our rooms to freshen up. In the company of a bottle of Val du Charron Reserve Rosé, a very welcomed companion, we lazily plonked ourselves on the chairs on our patio, which overlooks the vast greenery and with lovely views of the mountains. With the sun descending on the horizon, the blue hues gradually faded and made way for wisps of pink and orange puffs.

We got ready for an evening of banter, laughter and impromptu “karaoke” with owners, Stew and Cathy, and UK rep, Graeme Watson. Back at Pizza Vista, we enjoyed delicious Italian cuisine and more of the estate’s wonderful wines. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and indeed it passed by rapidly! Exhausted from a full day of glee and chuckles, we retired and headed for bed.

The next morning we were treated to a scrumptious breakfast before checking out.

We took one last unhurried saunter through the estate, breathed in the crisp, fresh air – and promised ourselves that we’ll be back again soon.

Accommodation options at Val du Charron

• The Guesthouse consists of 18 en-suite rooms each with its own balcony, where you can soak in the views while you enjoy a cold drink from the minibar.
• The Coach House consists of three spacious suites, each with its own plunge pool and private patio with built in wood-burning fireplace.
• The Manor House offers guests complete privacy with every detail for the ultimate comfort considered. The space is ideally suited to honeymooners or families looking for a luxurious, private and relaxing holiday experience.

Visit www.valducharron.co.za for more information.

*We unfortunately didn’t experience The Black Countess, but the presentation by the particular member of staff had us at the edges of our seats. We will visit again, where we will hopefully get to experience The Theatre of Wine fully.