Located on a working wine farm just one hour’s drive from Cape Town, Opstal Stay is your perfect escape inland of the Boland Mountains
Come explore chic country-style hospitality in a tucked-away corner of the beautiful Cape Winelands… a place you’ll want to tell everyone about (or perhaps a secret you’ll want to keep).
Known for all things Chenin, Opstal Wine Estate, situated in the picturesque Slanghoek Valley close to the quaint town of Rawsonville, has added a luxury accommodation experience to its already enviable suite of deliciously delightful offerings.
Opstal Stay features five contemporary and supremely comfortable freestanding units, tastefully developed by the entire Louw family with help offered by good friend Niel Bosch and many others.
Attie Louw, seventh generation winemaker and operator, together with brother Zak, proudly states, “Opstal Stay came to life in 2019 after years of dreaming, planning and working. We set out to create a smart but homey farm environment with the best view in the Cape! Our accommodation is luxurious, featuring clever design details but ultimately offering comfort and relaxation in a place that’s really special.”
He explains, tongue-in-cheek, how challenging it was at times to keep track of and try find a mid-way between every family member’s unique opinion and advice. “But it was all worth it,” he says. “Iron grinds iron, as they say – it truly proved to be a rewarding development experience. It was great to have everyone involved in the process, and ultimately it delivered to an end-product we’re all immensely proud of and can’t wait to share.
“Opstal was established in 1847, so we have a tremendous but proud responsibility to retain the legacy of this farm and its important role in the local community in terms of job creation, skills development, and the end of the day, the basic joy we derive from showing visitors what we’re so proud of when it comes to not only our wines, but the experience we offer to encapsulate others in our world although sometimes for only a brief period of time.
“We’ve kept our heritage front and centre, with each of the units named to honour those personalities that make up our rich and colourful history.”
Today, Attie and Zak’s goal remains to offer friends, family and guests an estate experience like no other. With guidance from sixth generation Stanley and Ria Louw, Opstal also features a popular restaurant, a well-proportioned wine tasting as well as a stunning wedding venue.
The Slanghoek Valley abounds with breathtaking views of vineyards, fynbos and mountains. And the Opstal farm features some of the best panoramic perspectives of it all.
Both discerning travellers and families with children will appreciate the peace and quiet of Opstal’s self-catering units throughout the year. In winter, snuggle up next to the slow combustion fireplace inside, or wind down in the hot tub outside. Summertime offers late afternoon sundowners on the deck, a cool splash in the deck tub and the perfect end-of-the-day braai outside overlooking the valley.
Guests can treat themselves to pizza and wine or a hearty meal prepared by chef PJ Lombard in the lovely estate restaurant. With to-die-for views overlooking the valley and a great and hearty menu, it’s rated number one on Tripadvisor in its area.
It’s no wonder, considering the intense attention to detail applied throughout the presentation of Opstal’s hospitality product.
Says Attie: “Stanley and Ria took it upon themselves to find and acquire the best art pieces for our stunning Opstal Stay facility. With inputs and instructions from the younger generation, they personally sourced some exceptional pieces of art, each with a story.”
“The go-to-girls were Marlene van Jaarsveld and Tharien Hechter. Among so many other noteworthy artworks we sourced, three pieces from Darren Aiken namely The Handyman, Battery Chicken and Remote Workshop were absolute finds which complement our décor beautifully.”
OPSTAL STAY OPTIONS AND PRICING
Opstal Stay offers two four-sleeper units and three two-sleeper units.
The four sleeper units' weekday price is R1 950 per night and R2 250 per night over the weekend. The two-sleeper units' weekday price is R1 450 per night and R1 750 per night over the weekend.
Breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed at Opstal’s restaurant from Wednesday to Sunday.
Guests are advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
CONTACT DETAILS
Telephone:
+27 66 2038889
E-mail:
stay@opstal.co.za
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Numerous leisure activities and excursions are available in the Slanghoek Valley and greater Breedekloof Valley and there is an activity or attraction to suit everyone's tastes. Here is a summary of activities recommended by Opstal.
Enjoy breakfast and lunch at Opstal’s restaurant from Wednesday to Sunday. Opstal Restaurant
Learn about pairing wine with cheese while enjoying a wine tasting and/or cheese and wine pairing at Opstal. Opstal Wine Tasting and Cheese and Wine pairing
Get in touch with nature and get a bit of exercise as you explore the Opstal or Jason’s Hill Hiking Trail in the Slanghoek Valley. Opstal Hiking trail. Jason’s Hill.
Try a gin pairing at Ou Stokery on the R101, also referred to as the Old N1. Ou Stokery
Navigate beautiful landscapes while mountain biking in the Slanghoek Valley at Slanghoek Cellar. Slanghoek Cellar
Explore the hidden Louwshoek while fly-fishing at Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway. Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway.
Learn about birds found in the Breedekloof Wine Valley while bird-watching at Bergsig Estate. Bergsig Estate.
Join a unique and interactive Italian cooking class at Picardi Place. Picardi Place
WINEMAKING AT OPSTAL
Stretching from the Badsberg mountains on the east of the valley to the Slanghoek mountains in the west, Opstal boasts great diversity in terroir. The farm has been family owned and run since 1847 and the current operational duo of Zak and Attie Louw are the seventh generation descendants of JC ‘Lang Jan’ Rossouw, the first owner of “De Opstal bij de Fonteine”.
The Opstal team is on a ‘journey towards ever purer site expression’. The winery is well regarded for its Chenin blanc. Opstal’s Carl Everson Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc has won multiple awards over the years, and have gained a reputation as one of South Africa’s best expressions of this special grape variety. Almost completely surrounded by mountains, Opstal has typical hot Cape Winelands summer temperatures, but very cold and wet winters with average annual rainfall over the last 5 years of 1 350mm. In 2014 alone Opstal recorded 2 054mm.
