You heard it here first: South Africa may just be the world’s best wine region. With exceptional flavors, affordable luxury and crazy beautiful landscapes, the famous Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine lands have it all.

Being totally in love with this region, I jumped at the chance to stay at Boschendal Wine Farm, a do-it-all wine farm less than an hour from Cape Town located in the heart of the Stellenbosch-Franschhoek region. I’ve also hosted groups on my TBA Escapes South Africa Photography Tours here and can confirm it is THE BEST wine farm for groups and even weddings.

So, foodies and wine-lovers, here’s what you need to know about staying at Boschendal Wine Farm in Franschhoek, South Africa.

The Wine Farm

Famous for their mountain-biking trails, the Boschendal Wine Farm is actually one of the oldest farms in South Africa. It was established way back in 1685, and they’ve been producing farm-to-table food and unique vintages ever since.

It’s popular with locals and tourists alike because it’s a place to get away from it all without having to travel far. Just a quick trip from Cape Town, but a world away from city life, Boschendal Wine Farm is a grand place to swim, fish, bike, dine under the stars and just forget about the world.

The farm estate is so expansive that it resembles a quaint little town with cottages, vineyards, orchards and all types of animals roaming around.

Accommodation at Boschendal

Spending at least one night at the Boschendal Wine Farm is a must! They have a beautiful range of restored farm cottages to choose from.

Of course, every cottage is serviced daily and is outfitted with a full kitchen.

It’s important to note just how massive the farm really is! Just check out this map of the property. Some of the cottages are so secluded and private that you would want to have your own transport to stay there.

The Clarence Cottage sleeps four people and offers a large kitchen, fireplace and a gorgeous wrap-around porch. While the historic Rhodes Cottage offers its own swimming pool, and can accommodate up to six people.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly option that also accepts dogs, the Trout Cottage is perfect. It has three bedrooms, a separate dining area and a cozy living room. Just note that you’ll want your own car if you’re staying here.

For a more central pick, the Werf Cottages are beautiful options. They’re conveniently located right beside the Boschendal restaurant, deli and main manor house.

We hosted our tour group in the Orchard Cottages, which is a collection of luxury cottages in one, two, three and four-bedroom sizes. These cottages are all fairly close together, so it’s great if you’re staying with other people. This set of cottages also boasts a large shared swimming pool.

Boschendal’s Wine

With nearly 300 years in the wine business, the Boschendal cellar masters know how to make a seriously impressive bottle of vino. They specialize in classic, fruity wines and have won countless awards on a range of their varietals.

Be sure to plan time to visit the Manor House Tasting Room for pairings and tastings. They have a range of options and expert guides who will show you what’s best.

Food + Drink at Boschendal

WERF Restaurant is a foodie’s dream come true. It highlights all of the things that make South African cuisine so remarkable.

The spread at Boschendal Wine Farm is some of the best food I’ve had in the wine lands and, best of all, more than two-thirds of the food that they serve is from their own garden and farm. Even if you’ve done a wine tasting already, be sure to try the pairings!

Activities

While Boschendal Wine Farm is the perfect place to get away from it all, the sprawling estate actually has a lively community. Once you’re done dining your way through the deli, restaurant and farm shop, it’s the perfect place to go biking, hiking or horse riding.

The surrounding area is made even more stunning by their own internationally acclaimed rose garden, which is obviously a must-see. And, if that’s not enough for you, pay a visit to the farm spa when you’re ready for an indulgent pamper session.

My personal favorites are the picnics at Boschendal. I highly recommend reserving one, but be sure to do so 24 hours in advance.

The food and the setting is simply picture-perfect.

SHOP my favorite wine tasting outfits!

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. That income goes to supporting this website and keeping it free for you and everyone else! As always, ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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