A groundbreaking ceremony is on the horison for an upcoming boutique accommodation venture at the renowned Blaauwklippen Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. The ambitious development initiative – to be overseen by Newmark Hotels & Reserves – stems from a partnership signed between the Cape Town-based hospitality management company and the historic wine farm. The agreement stipulates that Newmark will oversee all accommodation on the estate, encompassing a total of 34 units. The accommodation concept is set to debut in the first quarter of 2025.
With roots stretching back to 1682, Blaauwklippen stands as one of the oldest wine farms in the Stellenbosch region. Simon van der Stel, the inaugural Governor of the Cape, originally allocated the land to free burger, Gerrit Jansz Visscher. It was named after the blue stones found on the property and the first 1000 vines were planted in 1688, yielding its inaugural wine vintage in 1709.
Today, Blaauwklippen is a beloved wine destination, famed for pioneering Zinfandel Wines in South Africa and currently producing a diverse range of premier wines. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, indulge in food pairings, explore the art gallery, peruse the vibrant weekend market, or partake in biking adventures at the Bike Park and Pump Track. Recently unveiled, the De Blaauwe Kitchen restaurant offers a versatile menu spanning breakfasts, pizzas, pastas, salads, and grills. Family-friendly amenities include playgrounds shaded by ancient oak trees.
READ: Discover a new era of wine tasting at Blaauwklippen
Operational on the estate are the six-key Jonkershuis Guest House and the four-key Manor House, both heritage structures reflecting a traditional Cape Dutch style from the 1700s. These elegantly furnished rooms look out across the beautiful, outstretched lawns.
The soon-to-be luxury accommodation, a project anticipated to take about 18 – 20 months to realise – will be based beside the Blaauwklippen River, overlooking vineyards and the Stellenbosch mountains. Seamlessly harmonising with existing architecture, it will stand as an upscale addition to the estate.
Neil Markovitz, CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves, expressed his gratitude for partnering with this esteemed brand. He highlighted the strong demand for upscale lodging in the Cape Winelands, a prominent South African tourist hub. The new accommodation offering will complement Newmark’s portfolio, providing a complete tourist circuit for guests travelling between Cape Town and the greater Kruger Park.
Charl Cronjé, Chairman of Blaauwklippen Wine Estate, underscored the value of expanding into the luxury accommodation offering, happy to enhance the Blaauwklippen experience. The partnership allows the wine estate to focus on its viticultural expertise, while entrusting the hospitality specialists at Newmark with managing the accommodation side of the business.
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