A quick escape from the city
Staycations are a thing, fake vacays if you will, those snatched getaways where you pack an overnight bag and escape somewhere fabulous for a night or two. It may involve a road trip, a quick flight or, even better, it could be a short drive out of the CBD to Laborie Estate in Paarl, a lush property an hour from Cape Town, located at the foot of the Drakenstein Mountains in the Boland.
Change is as good as a holiday
A shift in scenery is often all it takes to re-energise the spirit and Laborie offers respite from the cityscape in style and comfort, with a fine glass of Taillefert wine on the side. I’ve just spent a day and a night there as an invited guest – just me – and I took full advantage of the gentle surroundings. It was time for a disconnect, doing things that lower my stress levels like nap snatching, taking a walk through the vineyards and watching hoopoes and squirrels forage right outside my cottage door.
squirrels everywhere
Try the wine
Do a wine tasting under the oaks on the verandah at the Taillefert tasting room located in the Manor House.
wine tasting at the Taillefert tasting room in the Manor House
The Jonkershuis cottage offers self-catering accommodation for six guests
The gardens are so pretty
Restaurants on site
There are a two restaurants from which to choose, the more formal Cucina di Giovanni with a Mediterranean focus and Pearl Rock Terrace on a open deck overlooking the vineyards, great for pizza, tapas and easy food. The service is very good and I can highly recommend the panko prawns as a starter, paired with a glass of Taillefert Chardonnay. Breakfast is served in the Manor House, an elegant room filled with antique cabinets and items dating back to 1691 when the farm was first established.
Pearl Rock Terrace restaurant, panko prawns and chardonnay
Time for bed
After dinner, I folded myself into the comfort of a puffy duvet in my poster poster bed – a treat. The Estate accommodation comprises seven luxury double rooms and 1 deluxe suite (mine), all furnished in a Cape French style.
Thank you to Bianca for the warm welcome, to Gerrit for the wine tasting and Xolani for the great service at Pearl Rock Terrace.
Upcoming event
Don’t miss the Carols by Candlelight on 8 December, in aid of Hope for Mia Cara.
Blessings this festive season to you & yours,