Val du Charron Wine & Leisure Estate
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Val du Charron History & Location
With its unmistakeable mountain views, the award-winning Val du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate is situated in the picturesque Bovlei, 10 minutes from the town of Wellington and under an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
In 2006 the Entwistle family purchased this 45 hectare farm and set about re-establishing its winemaking tradition, which had originally started here back in the year 1699. In tribute to the rich history and culture of the area, the Entwistles christened the farm Val du Charron, meaning ‘Valley of the Wagonmakers’ – the original name of the Wellington valley.
With a long history of winemaking, Val du Charron’s wines are available worldwide yet are best enjoyed surrounded by the vineyards themselves, at one of the Estate’s welcoming restaurants or from your own balcony at either our 4 star Guesthouse or 5 star Coach House.
Val du Charron Operating Hours
Wine Tasting: open daily 10am-4pm. Pre-booking essential at weekends.
Cellar & Vineyard Tours: available seasonally. Please contact the Estate.
Theatre of Wine Evenings: please contact the Estate for details.
The Grillroom: open daily, 8am-9pm.
Pizza Vista: open Tue to Sat 12pm-9pm & Sun 12pm-4pm. Monday Public Holidays 12pm-4pm.
Val du Charron Spa: open Tue to Sat 9am-6pm (pre-booking essential).
Wild Boar Mountain Bike Trails: operate seasonally. Please see Tours section.
*PLEASE NOTE*
We are open some Public Holidays – please call to check. All times, prices and facilities listed are subject to change. We recommend checking latest details directly with the farm and pre-booking experiences wherever possible, to avoid disappointment.
Val du Charron Wine Tasting
Of our 45 hectares, just over 21 are under vine. Our main plantings are Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay however we have 16 varietals producing a selection of wines across 3 wine ranges, including the Val du Charron Reserve Collection, Theatre of Wine and Aphaea Range.
Val du Charron is about living the wine lifestyle, so our guests are invited to participate in all aspects of wine production – from harvesting to drinking it. Wine tasting, guided cellar tours and tours of our vineyards and olive trees are available. For a completely novel wine tasting experience, visit our Theatre of Wine. All tours are subject to arrangement and are seasonal. Please contact the Estate for details (and see Tours & Activities below).
Wine Tasting Prices
Wine tasting priced from R49 for 3 wines from our Theatre of Wine collection.
Val du Charron Restaurants
Choose between two great eateries situated on the Val du Charron Estate: the Grillroom and Pizza Vista.
At the meat lover’s Grillroom, understated European elegance epitomizes the restaurant’s airy interior, which is glass fronted to showcase the panoramic views from the vineyards and olive orchards, to the blue-hued mountains that encircle Wellington. On a sunny day choose a table on the deck and sit side-by-side to enjoy the natural theatre.
If you’re craving pizza and pasta (especially after a day on the bike trails), pop in to our pizzeria, Pizza Vista. Families love the setting as while mom and dad are having lunch, kids can cool down at our water park located on the lawn in front of the restaurant.
Menus & Pricing
At the Grillroom, expect a large menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We feature grain-fed and grass-fed beef, salads, burgers, steaks, ribs, seafood plus desserts too. There are also vegetarian options and a kids’ menu. Main courses from around R130.
At Pizza Vista, choose from a variety of pizzas, calzones, salads and delicious pasta dishes – washed down with a craft beer or thirst-quenching cocktail. Vegetarian items and a kids’ menu also available. Main courses from around R80.
Val du Charron Tours & Activities
Seasonal guided Cellar & Vineyard Tours are available, alongside private wine tastings. Please contact the Estate for more details.
For a truly unique wine tasting experience, enquire about our Theatre of Wine. Here, The Black Countess (a professional actress) delivers a performance across Three Acts showcasing 3 of the Estate’s blends, elaborately delivering the stories behind each wine whilst dressed in full Victorian garb. Expect tales of ghosts and legends, love and adventure. The Theatre can also be arranged for private functions, allowing guests to dress up too. Please contact the Estate for details.
For Conferencing and Events, Val du Charron offers the ideal intimate venue at The Quagga Room, with our cellar as a unique backdrop. Various packages are available including catering and equipment, please contact the Estate.
Val du Charron’s Spa is entered through our ancient Egyptian doors, opening to a quiet oasis of tranquillity overlooking the majestic Hawekwa mountains. Pre-booking is required – please contact the Estate.
For the more active, the hiking and mountain biking Wild Boar Trails start and finish at Val du Charron, with 6 routes available. Please refer to www.facebook.com/wildboartrails/ or call 072 764 4015 for the most up to date information on pricing, entry, permits and events.
Val du Charron Accommodation
Val du Charron offer accommodation in their 5 star Coach House, 4 star Guesthouse, plus the exclusive-use Manor House.
The adults-only Coach House features just 2 spacious Suites plus a Presidential Suite. Each includes a plunge pool and patio with a built-in wood burning fireplace: the perfect place to unwind while overlooking the majestic winelands and mountains. Guests are welcome to also make use of all the facilities at the Guesthouse.
The Guesthouse features 18 en suite rooms each with its own balcony to soak in the views. If you are visiting us to unwind, tan by the communal pool in the glorious sunshine, read a book from the library or play a board game in the lounge. Our spacious family rooms are ideal for 2 adults and 2 younger kids, with our pool, jungle gym, splash pad and grounds offering plenty of space for kids to roam. The Guesthouse also features a 50 seater conference room, ideal for business travellers.
With a commanding view of the Hawekwa mountains, the luxurious Manor House offers complete privacy and comfort. Dating from 1699, the interiors have been entirely overhauled and guests can enjoy plenty of open space, a private pool, sauna, formal lounges, a dining room, games room and fully equipped kitchen. The Manor House accommodates 4 adults and 4 children.
Pricing
Prices for a Suite in the Coach House cost from R4600 per room per night on a bed and breakfast basis, for 2 adults. Luxury Rooms in the Guesthouse cost from R2700 per room per night on a bed and breakfast basis, for 2 adults. Kids under 7 stay free of charge, kids 8-12 years pay 50% of the sharing rate. Please contact the Estate for prices for the Manor House.
All prices based on low season (winter) – please check Val du Charron’s website for offers and specials: www.vdcwines.co.za/stay/.
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