In the latest issue of Stellenbosch Visio, we fill you in on winter delights, rejuvenation, restoration, and news worth knowing this Winter season! Here’s the lowdown on the people, places and products making an impact on the City of Oaks.
Die Stalle Spa at Bosjes
Bosjes Farm in the beautiful Breedekloof Winelands invited us to experience their newly opened and expanded ‘wellness destination’, Die Stalle Spa.
Architect Tiaan Meyer and interior designer Liam Mooney were challenged to create a modern extension to Die Stalle while still maintaining the relationship with the wider estate and the existing spa buildings. And they mastered it: the new spa merges seamlessly into the existing farm aesthetic, the low buildings carefully arranged so as not to overshadow the centuries-old manor house as the focal element of the farm.
“We wanted the feeling of envelopment, history, tactility, softness and hospitality to carry through to the new spaces,” says Liam. “It was important to me that the soul be retained, and I aimed to achieve this by making the ‘artist’s hand’ as evident as possible.”
The expansion of Die Stalle introduces six serene treatment rooms. A highlight is the hydrotherapy pool area, which offers a vista of the Waaihoek Mountains. Adjacent to the pool deck lies the Spa Garden, featuring boardwalks that wind through fynbos gardens and past natural freshwater ponds.
“From the varied dining experiences to the luxury accommodation, the gardens to the spa, one day is not enough to discover all that the farm and Die Stalle Spa has to offer,” says Carlen Vorster, CEO of Hospitality & Marketing for Bosjes.
Pebbles Soap for Hope
Dow, Diversey (a Solenis company) and the Pebbles Project have jointly launched the Soap For Hope project. This initiative, backed by Dow’s Business Impact Fund, aims to tackle global challenges using innovative solutions. The Soap For Hope project recycles discarded hotel guest soap to create livelihood opportunities and improve sanitation conditions.
Pebbles Project, a Stellenbosch-based NGO with a wide network of local farm operations, is leading Soap For Hope. “We will train unemployed young adults and women on entrepreneurship to upskill and empower them to run the recycling project as a small business,” said Sophie Warner, founder and CEO of the Pebbles Project. It aims to divert 10 000kg of soap bar waste annually from landfills, distribute recycled soap bars to underserved communities and provide sanitation training. Young adults will also receive entrepreneurship training to manage the recycling operation, fostering empowerment.
The project has gained support from various stakeholders, including Dow, Diversey and Premier Hotels & Resorts. “Soap For Hope is a project that directly engages the local people in helping their own community. At the same time, it helps our hotel customers by diverting tons of solid soap waste from the local landfill. This will contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment in South Africa and create shared value for everyone involved,” said Mariette van Vuuren, sales director South Africa, Diversey.
Frank’s Corner Bar and Grill
The newly opened Franks Corner Bar and Grill in Franschhoek has quickly become a culinary hotspot in the region. Founded by American entrepreneur Frank Rodriguez, along with renowned chef Reuben Riffel and co-owner Alex McCormack, the restaurant offers a modern twist on American cuisine.
Rejecting the trend of expensive tasting menus, Franks focuses on delivering elevated yet accessible dishes, providing a refreshing alternative to the area’s high-end dining scene. With a prime location on Huguenot Street, the restaurant offers a laid-back atmosphere for all to enjoy. Beyond its culinary offerings, Franks Corner Bar and Grill provides a welcoming space where guests can unwind and indulge.
S Mile Solutions
S Mile Solutions (Pty) Ltd has launched operations in Stellenbosch. The start-up focuses on providing smart, off-grid infrastructure solutions mounted on pick-up trucks to reach remote communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
It aims to improve living conditions by offering services such as clean water, electricity, primary healthcare and telecommunications. S Mile is a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, and is supported by Fraunhofer and Stellenbosch University’s LaunchLab. S Mile plans to relocate to its own commercial property, hire additional staff and continue collaborating with Fraunhofer institutes on water, energy and health-related projects. “From the second year onwards, we will be recruiting at least one engineer, a technical administrator, an accountant and a sales representative,” says CEO Dr Martin Hamann.
Experience the Tradouw Valley
The turn-off to the Joubert-Tradauw wine farm on the R62, as you head to Barrydale in the Klein Karoo, might not catch your eye. However, overlooking it means missing out on award-winning wines produced by the third generation of Joubert farmers in the Tradouw Valley. You’d also miss experiencing Deli Alfresco’s Mediterranean-style Karoo tapas, served on the tin-roofed stoep and under the vine-shaded pergola at rustic tables, set in a lush, unmanicured garden.
Beate Joubert and her husband, Meyer, an award-winning winemaker, moved to the Joubert-Tradauw farm where they turned an old building into a boutique wine cellar. When wine tasters began frequenting the farm, Beate started serving small bites, which eventually led to the creation of the deli, where she still crafts handmade Karoo food with a generous pinch of ‘Beate’. Influenced by her travels, Beate’s cooking is simple, allowing the fresh ingredients to speak for themselves, served beautifully and complementing the farm’s wines. She is also the author of Taste the Little Karoo.
It was the shared passion of Meyer and old school friend Pierre Wahl for expressing the land in their wines, that led to a partnership between Survivor Wines and Joubert-Tradauw. Survivor Wines’s adventurous winemaking style requires sourcing different grape varieties from various regions, now including Tradouw, where they’re expanding rapidly.
So, next time you’re on the R62, pull in, breathe the clean air and the smell of the soil, both instrumental to the success of the food and wine served at Deli Alfresco.
Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa Camphor Venue
Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa introduces the Camphor Venue, a state-of-the-art event space in the heart of the Helderberg. With a modern and elegant design, the venue offers versatility for various events, from corporate meetings to grand gala dinners. With a capacity of approximately 120, it offers dining services and gourmet fare that can be customised.
Joining the Oak and Birch boardrooms, the Camphor Venue provides flexibility with three interleading spaces, ideal for meetings, exhibitions, cocktail functions and product launches. Its seamless integration with the indigenous garden and courtyards in summer adds to its allure, making it a sought-after destination for exceptional events.
Village Collective
The Village Collective, a partnership initiative located in Somerset West, aims to revitalise the Somerset West CBD into a vibrant hub for living, working, and leisure. Spanning Main Road, Caledon, Drama, and Bright Street within the Somerset West City Improvement District (SWCID), the Village Collective centers around the green oasis of the Village Garden.
With new shopping experiences, events, and enhanced security, the area is already witnessing increased interest and positive feedback. The Village Collective invites local businesses and visitors to join the Villager network, supporting beautification projects, clean-ups, and the upkeep of the Village Garden.
While focusing on the SWCID boundary, The Village Collective’s efforts have a positive impact throughout Somerset West.
Tabakhuis Office Space
Workshop17 introduces Tabakhuis, marking a transformative shift in workspace dynamics by repurposing a historic tobacco storage facility into a collaborative hub of productivity and connectivity.
With 140 hot desks, 20 offices and cutting-edge meeting facilities, Tabakhuis offers an ideal environment for creativity and innovation, strategically located at the heart of Southern Paarl to integrate seamlessly into the vibrant community. Beyond conventional office set-ups, Tabakhuis provides tailored solutions that cater to diverse needs, from dedicated offices to intimate serviced spaces, ensuring versatility and comfort for all members.
Moreover, the space extends its hospitality beyond its members, welcoming external stakeholders to enjoy the amenities, including Tabak Café, curated by renowned chef André Brown from afoxinabox. Positioned as a focal point within the space, Tabak Café invites professionals, entrepreneurs and freelancers to indulge in its offerings and embrace the vibrant energy of Workshop17 Tabakhuis, where history meets innovation and collaboration knows no bounds.
Louis Vuitton Men’s LV Super Vision Sunglasses
First revealed on the runway of Pharrell Williams’ debut Men’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection for the Maison, Louis Vuitton’s Super Vision sunglasses are designed to ‘zoom into the future’. Inspired by photography, they come in four ultra-contemporary, trend-driven styles – round, square, low square and aviators – and each is moulded in rubber- effect nylon to mimic the aesthetic of iconic camera designs. The new eyewear comes in five colours: black, khaki, red, yellow or blue.