Kunjani means ‘Hi, how are you’ and is usually the basis on which lifelong friendships are formed in South Africa. Kunjani Wines is situated in the Bottelary Hills sub-route of Stellenbosch and in all honesty, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more authentic and diverse Stellenbosch winery. Husband-and-wife Kunjani Wines owners, Paul Barth and Pia Watermeyer are a true reflection of the vibrancy of this Cape Winelands establishment with their welcoming and down-to-earth nature.
We were invited to spend the weekend at the Kunjani Villas and it honestly couldn’t have come at a better time. The South African lockdown has taken a heavy toll on everyone, especially the South African Wine and Tourism Industries and I couldn’t think of a better way to welcome the reopening of inter-provincial travel than a Cape Winelands weekend getaway!
Say Kunjani and Stay at Kunjani Wines a Little Longer
From the moment you step into the luxurious self-catering Kunjani Villas you just know that it’s going to be your chic home away from home with gorgeous vineyard views. We stayed at the Cabernet Villa which is modern and tastefully decorated but still manages to have a comfortable feel about it. The very first thing we did was swing open the lounge door and soak in the stunning Cape Winelands views on the private veranda.
It was a rainy weekend when we visited Kunjani and we really appreciated the modern comforts such as the Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine, smart TV, complimentary WiFi and wall-panel heating in the villa. But of course no South African weekend away is complete without a braai and that’s exactly what we did on our first night! The Cabernet Villa is also fully equipped with a modern kitchen and sophisticated en-suite bathroom so naturally the following day started with a leisurely breakfast while watching and listening to the beautiful rain falling over the picturesque landscape followed by a long hot shower.
For parents, I would not categorise the Kunjani Villas as toddler-friendly. All three villas have stairs both inside and outside and there are no child-friendly activities on the property. However, I would highly recommend the villas for a couples or girls breakaway!
Kunjani Wines is currently running an amazing promotion for all stays at their Kunjani Villas – 30% off all accommodation bookings valid until 28 February 2021. The discount is only valid when booked directly with Pia via info@kunjaniwines.co.za
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how amazing summer in the Cape Winelands is so take advantage of this offer to break out of the lockdown slump!
Fine Dining and Wine at the Kunjani Restaurant
The Kunjani restaurant is headed up by the talented Chef Lamek Mnisi who takes diners on a culinary journey of note with his delicious dishes. The contemporary design of the restaurant certainly adds to the dining experience; weather permitting, you can choose to have your meal either inside or outside on the deck overlooking the beautiful Devon Valley. We had the red wine oven roasted lamb shank served with mash potato and seasonal veggies and the Cape Malay seafood curry. Of course I never pass up the opportunity for dessert and had the traditional malva pudding served with Amarula crème anglaise and coffee ice cream. Our meals were simply divine and we savoured every single bite of it, especially since it was our very first restaurant visit since lockdown had started!
Now that South Africa has moved to Level 2 lockdown, you can also enjoy the incredible selection of Kunjani Wines. The Kunjani range of wines includes a German Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Rosé, Shiraz, Bordeaux-style red blend and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine tasting is R60 per person for all 6 wines. The award-wining Kunjani Shiraz 2015 has recently won its third award by securing a Top 12 spot at the annual Shiraz Challenge hosted by the Shiraz Association of South Africa. And right on schedule to welcome Spring, the Kunjani Stolen Chicken Rosé 2020 is now available for sale!
The restaurant and tasting room are open from Friday – Sundays and bookings are essential.
Tel: 087 630 0409 | www.kunjaniwines.co.za
**I was hosted by Pia and Paul of Kunjani Wines for a weekend stay. As always, all views are my own, unbiased and completely honest.
