The Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) will be showcasing its natural beauty during Garden Town Stellenbosch hosted from Friday October 27 to Sunday November 5.
Garden Town offers an elaborative programme to allow visitors to immerse themselves in horticultural wonders and floral artistry, embark on culinary journeys and invigorating hikes, engage with gardening specialists, and enjoy outdoor adventures.
Included in the line-up for the first time this year, is the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy with an array of nature experiences. Founded in 1992, the BHRC features 1500 hectares of critically endangered Renosterveld, a 130km mountain bike trail network, hiking trails and wine adventures on the 50 member farms located in and around the Bottelary Hills.
The Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy experiences offered include:
A Vineyard walk
The vineyard walk in Devon Valley will take place on Sunday October 29. Participants will get to join in on a guided 5.5km circular walk through the Devon Valley with tastings and treats along the way at Kunjani Restaurant, JC le Roux and Devon Valley Hotel.
The leisurely walk through the vineyards will start at 8am and finish at 11am. Tickets cost R250 and include a guided walk, breakfast snack and glass of wine at Kunjani, glass of JC le Roux sparkling wine, small hamburger, and a glass of wine at Devon Valley Hotel where the walk will start and finish.
Funds raised will go towards the local Froggies Aftercare NPO in Devon Valley. Only 100 spots available so book now via https://plankton.mobi/Events/EventsAll
Mooiplaas guided hike
The Mooiplaas guided hike will take place on Saturday November 4.
Hikers will get to enjoy a guided 3-hour hike and wine tasting led by Tielman Roos (owner and viticulturist of Mooiplaas wine estate as well as chairman of the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy).
Mooiplaas private nature reserve was registered in 1995 and in 2020 Mooiplaas became the first WWF Conservation Champion in the Bottelary wine ward. The 5.6km circular hiking trail meanders through the 70-hectare Mooiplaas private nature reserve with its rich plant life and beautiful views.
Limited tickets at R200 per person includes a wine tasting and cheese platter. Limited to 30 guests. Book online https://plankton.mobi/Events/EventsAll
Hazendal Garden Tour
This tour will be hosted on Tuesday October 31 at the Hazendal wine estate.
Participants will take part in a one-hour guided walk from 10am to 11am, to explore the historic Hazendal Wine estate in all its glory, including the Marvol gallery, classic car collection, pristine gardens and historic buildings followed by a wine tasting accompanied by a cheese or charcuterie platter.
Whether you’re new to the world of wine, or an experienced connoisseur, our skilled Wine Lounge ambassadors are ready to share the history, terroir, and winemaking philosophy of Hazendal with you. Allow us to expertly guide you on a rewarding tasting journey. Experience a taste of Hazendal- wines with a sense of place. Tickets cost R200 and include a wine tasting and cheese platter and are limited to 30 guests. Book online https://plankton.mobi/Events/EventsAll
Dog Friendly Trailrun
Bring the furry friend along for the Dog Friendly Trailrun on Saturday November 4 at the Bellevue wine estate.
This is a perfect entry level run with easy to navigate up and down sections along the various route options that include a 5km, 10km, 15km and 21km.
Embrace the Garden Town Stellenbosch “Viva Magenta” theme and come dressed in your most colourful pink and purple floral. Fun spot prizes for best dressed runners.
The best part of all is that you can bring your canine friend along to this dog-friendly run as long as on a lead. Entry fees vary between R70 and R210 and include a medal, bottle of spring water and free wine tasting for each runner. https://www.facebook.com/TrailFunTrailSeries
Garden Town Wrap-up MTB ride
This event will be held on Sunday November 5 and mountain bike enthusiasts are invited to spend the morning cycling in the Bottelary Hills wrapping up Garden Town 2023 with the Ride4Renosterveld MTB Challenge.
Riders can choose between two distances that both start and finish on the Protea lawn at Jordan Wine Estate where friends and family can be waiting to enjoy a morning with views of the Stellenbosch valley and a selection of eats, wines and music.
The 12km (370m elevation) includes a stop at the Polkadraai Bike Park, while the moderate 25km route runs across several member farms with stunning views on the 687m ascent. A combination of testing elevations, flowy single tracks in natural terrain with beautiful views that will take your breath away, (if the climb doesn’t).
The route includes easy cross-country sections, singletrack through endangered Renosterveld into the Conrad Stoltz signature track.
Bookings online at R250 for the 25km – https://bit.ly/3EhNLsa and R200 for the 12km – https://bit.ly/45xX03l.
De Morgenzon Open Garden
From Friday October 27, to Sunday November 5, De Morgenzon will host an open garden in the vineyards.
In Spring specially chosen wildflowers flourish between the vines. DeMorgenzon has no doubt that a biodiverse and ecologically sensitive environment produces infinitely better grapes and the beauty of their gardens is captured in every bottle of their wine.
Complete Garden Town Stellenbosch programme and bookings https://gardentown.visitstellenbosch.org/ or www.bottelaryhillsconservancy for more on the important conservation work done to preserve the less than 4% endangered Renosterveld in the Western Cape.
