Val Du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate

Val du Charron means 'Valley of the Wagonmakers', a name that pays tribute to the rich Franco-Dutch heritage of Wellington's Bovlei Valley. The French influence stems from the Huguenot settlers who arrived in the area in the early 1700s, while the reference to wagonmaking recalls the fact that Wellington was the last town where Afrikaner ox wagons could be serviced before heading over the majestic Bain's Kloof Pass into the hinterland. Winemaking traditions in the valley date back to 1699, making this one of the oldest viticultural sites in the Western Cape.

The current owners purchased the 45-hectare farm in 2006 and set about re-establishing the winemaking tradition that had roots stretching back more than three centuries. The vineyards are planted on south-facing slopes with rich red soils, and the estate cultivates an unusually broad palette of sixteen grape varieties -- from Merlot to Touriga Nacional, from thirty-year-old Chenin Blanc to Pinot Gris. All wines under the Val du Charron label are estate-grown, produced and bottled on the farm, giving a pure expression of the terroir.

Winemaker Bertus Fourie -- the same Bertus Fourie who famously created the Coffee Pinotage style at Diemersfontein -- crafts the wines here. His experience and skill bring out the best from the estate's diverse plantings. The flagship wines include the Black Countess, Erasmus den Deen, the white blend Four White Legs, a reserve Malbec, and Chardonnay, all of which have earned Gold and Double Gold medals at Gilbert and Gaillard, the Michelangelo International Wine Awards and the Cape White Blend Challenge. The estate holds IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) and WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association) sustainability accreditations.

Beyond wine, Val du Charron has built a reputation as one of Wellington's most complete leisure destinations. The 4-star Guest House and 5-star Coach House offer luxury accommodation on a working wine estate. A spa and conferencing facilities add to the hospitality offering. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with options ranging from platters and pizza to a full kids' menu and vegetarian choices. The famous Theatre of Wine tasting experience, translated into French, German and Dutch, won the Drinks International Most Innovative Approach to Wine Tourism award in 2015. The estate was also named Drakenstein Municipality Wine Tourism Destination of the Year in 2019.

Val du Charron is wheelchair accessible and thoroughly family-friendly, with a jungle gym, free WiFi, fireplaces, and panoramic mountain views from gardens, terraces and the tasting room. Guided cellar tours, vineyard tours and cycle tours complete the experience. Open seven days a week from 08h00 to 21h00, with tastings from R22 per person, the estate offers one of the most affordable and comprehensive wine tourism experiences in the Wellington valley.