Kunjani – A wine weekend romancing in the heart of Stellenbosch
My dear wine loving friendsies, if you are EVER needing a #WineVacay and if you like us, who is a lover of self catering accommodation. Then….you have to look no further! I have just the perfect place for you! One that is modern, but cozy, luxurious, peaceful, and completely surrounded by vineyards, then you HAVE to make your way down to Kunjani’s Private Self Catering Villas.
To be honest, location wise (I am referring to Stellenbosch here…) would not be my first choice of place to vacay or have a weekend break. I am more of a sea girl and an extreme creature of habit – like for example every year we go to the same place for holiday. I know…. I know…. #Don’tJudge!
However, thanks to yours truly… the dreaded COVID-19, I am a little nervous traveling, especially when it comes to inter-provincial. After being ‘locked up’ in our homes for months, the need to just break free (🎼I want to break freeeee🎶🎶🎼) and explore, experiencing new and different things. I am sure you are feeling it as well?
Covid 19 has not only affected tourism locally and internationally, but also with the stupid prohibition on alcohol (follow #SAWineLockdown; #SpectacularSouthAfrica; #DrinkSouthAfrican and #savesawine on social media) it has put our wineries on their knees.
One of the best ways YOU can support our wineries is to buy their wine, eat at their restaurants, and stay at their accommodation. 🙂
Every little bit helps!
Be a tourist in your own city, province and country!
#SayKunjani
Here at Kunjani you are so warmly welcomed and within an instant you feel like long lost friends, after all.. Kunjani means: Hello, how are you in Zulu?
Kunjani is one of the latest addition to the Bottelary Hills sub-route of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Paul Barth & Pia Watermeyer, husband-and-wife team and owners of Kunjani.
Together they created a contemporary and soulful wine experience that reflects a cross-continental influences, something that you won’t sommer find in the Western Cape.
Kunjani offers a lot more than just award winning wine, you can enjoy mouthwatering dishes prepared by Chef Lamek Mnisi, or even better just stay over and enjoy a romantic weekend break at one of the four luxurious villas among the vineyards.
#S(t)ayKunjani
I had the incredible privilege of spending a weekend at Kunjani’s luxury self catering villas. So as mentioned there are four villas that you can indulge your senses in:
The Shiraz Villa
The Stolen Chicken Villa
The Merlot Villa
The Cabernet Villa (This was our little villa for the weekend)
The Cabernet Villa – Our Wine Weekend Vacay
Despite the weather being as miserable as a broken heart, hubby and I really enjoyed our stay at Kunjani. The Cabernet Villa is perfect for couple who is looking for a romantic wine weekend in the heart of Stellenbosch.
Our little Cabernet Villa contains the following:
- One bedroom with a double bed
- En suite bathroom
- Dining nook for 3 guests
- Wall panel heating & air conditioning
- Kitchen with all modern appliances
- Lounge with smart television
- Private veranda with braai facilities
The Kitchen
Immediately as you open your door to your little villa you feel right at home. It has a beautiful and well equipped open plan kitchen, which is spotlessly clean and modern. You will not find ricoffee here, instead you are treated to pod coffee machine with a nice selection of different flavoured pods to enjoy!
To make your stay extra special and luxurious you have a stove, an oven, a microwave, and 5 extra stars for having a DISHWASHER (that’s right – I mean seriously who wants to stand and wash dishes when you on a wine vacay! Certainly not me!) Kitchen is well kitted with basic essentials for cooking. You are spoiled with mineral water (both sparkling and still). Oh! and don’t forget to kick start your morning you can enjoy some delicious healthy rusks to dip in your morning brew.
These tiny additional touches just adds to that luxurious comfort.
The Living Room Area
Kitchen and living room flows, as it is open plan with a touch of eclectic and contemporary finishes. There is a little space for you to enjoy your breakfast. There is a smart TV, free wifi and because it was absolutely freezing the wall panels came in very handy. I also discovered a basket with extra “TV” blankets to snuggle up with.
The lounge area opens up with french doors to a private patio allowing the outside flow inside. As you open the doors, you are immediately hit with the wonderful and calming aroma of lavender. In front of you, you get to admire the 2.5 hectares of Shiraz vineyards .
If you are a bird lover, they welcome you in a true Kunjani style, their gleeful singing and chirping. You may even spot a sugar bird or two, enjoying the lavender flowers.
All of this gives you a sense of peace and quiet.
On a good day (Weather determined) this private and secluded patio will offer you the impeccable Stolen Chicken Sundowners, along with a lekker stukkie vleisie on the braai, all the while savouring the rich sunset of oranges, purples, crimsons at the horizon, spreading its largess into a grateful sky.
And another lekker spoil, a complimentary scrumptious German charcuterie board which consists of a selection of cheese, cold meats and preserves, and a bottle my favourite Kunjani wine the 2015 Shiraz!!
As it was raining cats and dogs the Friday evening, we could not enjoy the patio with sundowners, however we curled up on the couch, with a blanket, sipping vino, enjoying the cheese board while watching our favourite Netflix show.
Honestly, I actually could not have asked for a better way to spend an icy cold wet winter Friday night.
The Bedroom
A lovely spacious room with a seriously comfy king size bed, ample cupboard space if you are spending more than a weekend, decorated with nice modern and plush finishing.
Bathroom
Again beautiful modern finishes with touches of luxury. Super plush bathroom mats, and high end toiletries (hand soap, lotion and body wash) A massive shower (enough to move around in) and super luxurious white towels.
Kunjani Restaurant
Nom nom nom… maar die chef, hy kan maar kook!! The seasonal menu at Kunjani is absolutely delicious. Hubby enjoyed his slow braised lamb shank that was cooked in red wine. He is an absolute sucker for lamb shank! And boy oh boy was it cooked to perfection! So tender that it just falls off the bone.
Me? Nothing beats pork belly so that was my choice of meal. Lip smackingly good. You get this gorgeous crispy pork belly skin, perfectly seasoned, and the meat…. 😋😋😋… it just pulls apart, tender and succulent. Served with a delicious light apple sauce, grilled pineapple, silky smooth mash and green peas. It was rich, it was delectable and could not stop savouring each and every bite. Well Done Chef!!
While sitting at Kunjani you can’t help but to feel so relaxed. As you look around the room you notice at how beautifully designed, with a contemporary modern feel. You also have the gorgeous huge deck, overlooking vineyards and the valley below.
Kunjani’s superb gourmet menu is designed by Chef Lamek Mnisi, who uses not only the very best local and seasonal ingredients but loves taking diners on a culinary journey which is a fusion of both cultures… European and African.
Chef is always on the look out for high quality ingredients and innovative ideas when creating seasonal menus, and mixes things up a little by recreating the menu. Which is pretty cool! Every time you visit Kunjani, you are surprised with something new.
Kunjani also acts responsibly towards the planet and its natural resources and minimizing its carbon footprint. Chef only cooks with fish that is on the green list of South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) and all the fresh vegetables used in the kitchen is growing on the farm.
Wine Tasting at Kunjani
You can enjoy wine tastings at Kunjani for R60 and you can taste six wines. These wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Stolen Chicken, Cabertnet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz.
I had to have a bottle of the newly released Stolen Chicken along with my meal. What a gorgeous wine this is. You will have to stay tuned for another day to get to know more about this wine. – (Don’t forget to follow Kunjani and My Boozy Kitchen on Instagram)
The award-winning winemaker, Carmen Stevens, is responsible for creating Kunjani’s wines. She took on the role as winemaker for Distell’s new Tukulu brand, a black empowerment project, becoming the first black winemaker in South Africa.
In conclusion…
Kunjani means hello how are you? At Kunjani they are ready and waiting in warmly welcoming you to their farm. In actual fact if you can get 30% off all accommodation bookings valid until 28 February 2021. This offer is valid for all stays at Kunjani Villas until 28 February 2021. Discount is only valid when booked directly with Pia via info@kunjaniwines.co.za.
P.S Kunjani also follows strict COVID-19 protocols: temperatures, sanitizing, screening and also no mask no entry.
So go on what are you waiting for enjoy the Stellenbosch winelands and #StayKunjani! Oh and before I forget, thank you so much team Kunjani for having me stay at your accommodation. It was soooooooo much needed and it was extremely special.
Disclaimer – My boozy Kitchen was invited by Kunjani to stay in their villas All thoughts and expressions are of my own. I really had a blast and wanted to share with you my experiences and you too can experience. Images in this article belongs to My Boozy Kitchen
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