The Stellenbosch hospitality and tourism communities have reopened with wide open arms after a devastating few months due to Covid-19 restrictions and lockdown in South Africa. Most of these establishments are now dependent on the support of locals, which will hopefully carry them through the following few months towards a brighter future. Visit Stellenbosch has come up with a fresh new rewards campaign – #SupportStellenbosch – aiming to stimulate our tourism economy and incentivise our residents to love where they live and experience local. The Support Stellenbosch campaign was specifically designed to call on residents to support local businesses, experience Stellenbosch as tourists and inspire their networks to discover what Stellenbosch has to offer, in times of COVID-19 and beyond.
Additionally, they’ve started the Support Stellenbosch Restaurant Rewards Programme, where restaurant patrons paying any bill over R200 with SnapScan will receive a voucher to the value of 50% of their bill (capped at a maximum of R400) to be redeemed at any participating restaurant within the campaign period. It will not cost restaurants any money to benefit from this campaign. A Restaurant Recovery Fund will finance the reward vouchers and they aim to raise R1.5M, donated by various stakeholders, corporates, and other benefactors. The duration of the campaign will be determined by the amount raised for this fund.
How does the restaurant reward voucher system work?
SnapScan manages the reward voucher system. For every SnapScan transaction of R200 or more, at any participating restaurant, a 50% voucher to the maximum of R400, will be issued to the user’s SnapScan wallet within 48 hours of the transaction. The wallet can be used to pay for future dining experiences during the campaign, and only at the participating restaurants, therefore keeping the funds within the local economy. The full amount of the SnapScan transaction will be transferred to the restaurant, and the reward portion will be claimed from the Restaurant Recovery Fund by SnapScan.
Visit Stellenbosch invited me and my family to explore a few Stellenbosch destinations last weekend, and to share our experiences with you, encouraging more locals (like us) to support our beautiful town and all that it has to offer. There are so many world class experiences at discounted rates available to us all in September and beyond, and our support will make a real difference to the industry as a whole.
Take a look at our weekend in pictures below, and be sure to follow the hashtag #SupportStellenbosch on social media for more ideas and offers. We stayed over at Kunjani Wines guest cottages including breakfast at their restaurant, we had a braai box from The Fat Butcher for dinner accompanied by ‘n farm produce hamper from Mason Farming, we did a wine & sorbet tasting at Koelenhof, we did a tasting and game drive at Villiera, enjoyed lunch at Joostenberg Bistro and another lunch at Knorhoek Wine Estate. We were bowled over by the genuine hospitality, passionate staff, quality offerings, scrumptious food and breathtaking scenery during our weekend. I am so proud to be a Stellenbosch local, and so enthusiastic about sharing more of this town and all it has to offer with you. I hope you will go on your own adventure, supporting Stellenbosch, soon.
Kunjani Wines is situated in Devonvale on the Bottelary Hills wine route. They have 3 guest villas available for guest accommodation, and we stayed in Shiraz Villa – a two bedroom two bathroom self catering unit with braai facilities, full kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine, coffee machine and smart tv. We enjoyed their award winning 2015 Shiraz with a pre-dinner snack platter from the restaurant – what a great find!
On Friday evening, we received a braai box from The Fat Butcher for dinner, containing various prime meat cuts, marrow bones, BBQ sauce, braai spice and sweets. We chose the cote de beouf steaks, and braaied it over the flames along with some vegetables from Mason Farming (just look at that selection of farm produce that they sent us!) while the sun was setting. We are big fans of Fat Butcher and have missed them dearly during lockdown. The meat was, as expected, spectacular.
What a view at sunset from Kunjani’s Shiraz Cottage front porch, where we stayed.
On Saturday morning, we had a scrumptious breakfast at Kunjani Wines Restaurant. I had the Salmon Eggs Royale – the hollandaise was just perfectly seasoned and just the right texture. Generous portions and very friendly service.
Late morning, we visited Koelenhof for a unique wine and sorbet tasting. They also cater for children with their own selection of non-alcoholic grape juice. It was a lot of fun! The wines were great – our favourite of the day was the Koelenhof Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2017, a lightly wooded, elegant, complex white wine.
Next up was an invigorating wine tasting at Villiera Wine Estate (including their range of MCC and still wines), followed by a 2-hour game drive on the estate’s game reserve. I never even knew Villiera had a game reserve! Our guide, Daniël, expertly hosted both the wine tasting and the game drive. We saw a wide array of animals including zebras, giraffes (including a 3 week old baby), eland, owls, a tortoise and many other birds. What a treat to see Simonsberg in the background on an actual game drive!
We then drove to Joostenberg Bistro, where we took a seat on their shaded verandah looking out onto the lush rolling lawns. With a(nother) glass of MCC in hand, I ordered their signature charcuterie board, while Schalk opted for a beer and the fish curry. My daughter had the freshly made tagliolini with meat ragu – everything was just spectacular. Afterwards they sent us home with a box full of freshly baked goods, more charcuterie and spreads, and enough treats to last us for days. Their caneles are simply the best – don’t drive past Joostenberg Deli without getting some! Their brownies are also the best I’ve had – it tastes like baked chocolate mousse/nougat, absolutely delicious. Joostenberg is one of my favourite destinations in the Stellenbosch area – a MUST visit.
On Sunday, we visited Knorhoek Wine Farm for a delightful wine tasting (seated at the restaurant table) and lunch. Knorhoek is such a scenic, serene and unpretentious destination for families with kids – there is ample space for kids to roam and play within eye site of parents having lunch. The restaurant is welcoming and rustic, set in a thatched roof building. Renovations is under way in a few months time, so look out for a completely reinvented Knorhoek in the same magical setting, with plans for craft beer, pizza and much more coming your way soon. In the meantime, don’t miss out on their popular Sunday set menus and yes, a la carte too.
Thank you Visit Stellenbosch and all of the participating destinations for hosting us and for showing us once again how fabulous it is to play, eat and drink right here where we live – the best destinations, restaurants and experiences right here around us. Let’s support Stellenbosch!
Thank you for posting such amazing information.