Our Story
How We Got Here
We'll fill this in properly closer to the day. For now: we met, it stuck, and we're getting married on the farm Cornell grew up on — with the people who matter to us in the room.
We'll fill this in properly closer to the day. For now: we met, it stuck, and we're getting married on the farm Cornell grew up on — with the people who matter to us in the room.
Klein DasBosch is Cornell's family wine estate — the farm he grew up on.
Set on the banks of the Blaauwklippen River in the valley that shares its name, on the southern edge of Stellenbosch, this is where Cornell was raised — and there is nowhere more fitting for us to begin this chapter. The farm is about ten minutes from the town centre and ±35 min drive from Cape Town International Airport via the R310 and N2; Mont Marie restaurant sits just across the road, with Vriesenhof as a neighbour.
We recommend staying in or around Stellenbosch. The hotels below are a starting point — Saturday shuttles are not limited to these properties. Cape Town International Airport Map is ±35 min drive from the venue.
13–14 February 2027 is Valentine's weekend in peak South African summer. Accommodation in Stellenbosch fills up months in advance, and some properties have two-night minimums — secure your room as soon as you can.
Lodges on the Helshoogte Pass, a little further from the venue. There is also a four-bedroom Owner’s Villa.
Five-star estate in the Jonkershoek valley — a historic manor, a spa, and a long wine history.
A wine-farm hotel on the R310 with farm-to-table restaurants, a spa and one of the Cape's great historic estates. (Two three-bedroom villas as well.)
A 5-star boutique hotel on Houtkapper Street in Paradyskloof — 23 rooms and suites, spa, heated indoor pool and Plenitude restaurant, five minutes from the farm.
The country's oldest continuously operating hotel, right on Church Street in the heart of town — step out to restaurants, galleries and wine bars.
On the Blaauwklippen wine estate (est. 1682), just along the R44 from Klein DasBosch — the restored Manor House and Jonkershuis reopened February 2026: eight manor rooms and three Jonkershuis suites. Newmark Hotels.
Set on the Kleine Zalze Wine & Golf Estate directly on the R44, with hotel rooms and self-catering suites.
Reliable Marriott comfort in Techno Park, about a kilometre off the R44 — and freshly renovated, with works completing November 2026.
The venue and all eight recommended hotels — pins show $ / $$ / $$$ at a glance. Tap a marker for drive time, USD rate and website.
For our guests travelling from afar — mid-February is peak South African summer: hot, dry and busy. Book restaurants, hotels and attractions well ahead.
An easy day trip — the city and the V&A Waterfront are ±47 min drive from the venue.
Ellerman House — a 13-room Relais & Châteaux mansion in Bantry Bay with a remarkable art collection, from R26k / $1.6k per night · ellerman.co.za · Map
The Silo Hotel — above Zeitz MOCAA at the V&A Waterfront, from R28k / $1.75k per night · theroyalportfolio.com · Map
Mount Nelson — Belmond's "Pink Lady", with glorious gardens and the city's most famous afternoon tea, from R22k / $1.4k per night · belmond.com · Map
One&Only Cape Town — a private-island resort at the V&A Waterfront, with Nobu on-site, from R14k / $880 per night · oneandonlyresorts.com · Map
Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa — on the coastal road between Camps Bay and Llandudno, a dramatic mountain-meets-ocean setting, with the famous Leopard Bar for sundowners · 12apostleshotel.com · +27 21 437 9000 · Map
Morea House — Autograph Collection, 90 rooms on Victoria Road in Camps Bay, a short walk from the beach · moreahouse.com · +27 21 892 2980 · Map
Clifton & Bantry Bay — the best and most wind-sheltered: Clifton's four cove beaches sit in the lee of Lion's Head, and Bantry Bay is the least windy suburb on the Atlantic Seaboard.
Sea Point — apartments, the best value, and a walkable promenade.
Camps Bay — the postcard beach and restaurant strip, though it can get windy.
Clifton 1st–4th — 4th is the social hub; the water is a bracing 12–17°C Map. Beta Beach — a local favourite, tucked between boulders Map.
Table Mountain cableway — book online; weather-dependent Map. Lion's Head — a free, roughly two-hour hike with the city's best view Map.
Boulders Beach penguins — Simon's Town, R245 / $15 per adult; go early or late Map. Cape Point & the Cape of Good Hope — R515 / $32 per adult; take the funicular up Map. Chapman's Peak Drive — R68 / $4 per car, a coastal road with long views Map.
Kalk Bay — a working fishing village: seals in the harbour, tidal pools, Kalky's fish & chips Map — and lunch at Harbour House on the rocks — book a window table · harbourhouse.co.za · +27 21 788 4133 · Map
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens — on the slopes of Table Mountain, including the Boomslang canopy walkway · R270 / $17 · sanbi.org · Map
Robben Island — the ferry and guided tour of the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned; book weeks ahead · ~R600 / $38 · robben-island.org.za · Map
Zeitz MOCAA — Africa's largest contemporary art museum, carved out of the grain silo at the V&A Waterfront · zeitzmocaa.museum · Map
Oranjezicht City Farm Market — weekend food market at the V&A Waterfront · ozcf.co.za · Map
Sea Point Promenade — walk or run for kilometres along the ocean, past tidal pools and cafés Map.
Muizenberg surf lessons — gentle beginner waves and the famous colourful beach huts; boards, wetsuits and instructors right on the beach Map.
Franschhoek day trip — the Huguenot village: superb restaurants, galleries and the hop-on hop-off wine tram · winetram.co.za · Map
Salsify at the Roundhouse — Camps Bay; The Lawns at the Roundhouse next door for drinks · salsify.co.za · Map
La Colombe — the original, Constantia. Flagship of the group; book well ahead · lacolombe.restaurant · Map
PIER — La Colombe group's seafood tasting-menu restaurant in the Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront (Eat Out 3 stars 2026) · lacolombe.restaurant/pier · +27 21 879 6328 · Map
Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia — valley views Map · Nikkei — 87 Bree Street, Cape Town city centre; Japanese-Peruvian, Condé Nast Hot List · nikkei.co.za · Map · Marble — V&A Waterfront, live-fire grill by David Higgs · marble.restaurant · Map
Also: Kloof Street House Map · La Perla (Sea Point sundowners) Map.
The Leopard Bar at the Twelve Apostles — sundowners Map · The Silo rooftop Map · Mount Nelson Map.
Delaire Graff Estate — lunch at the restaurant or Hōseki Japanese; art, gardens and Graff diamonds · delaire.co.za · +27 21 885 8160 · Map
Tokara — Helshoogte Pass; drinks and tastings at the Tasting Lounge daily 10–18h, restaurant Wed–Sun · tokara.com · Map
Rust en Vrede — legendary red-wine estate established 1694. Winemaker's Lunch under the oaks, R420 / $26 pp, walk-in daily 12–15h; fine-dining restaurant evenings Tue–Sat · rustenvrede.com · Map
Babylonstoren — Koos Bekker's famous farm; gardens R150 / $9 entry, and Babel, the farm-to-fork restaurant that books out nine months ahead · babylonstoren.com · Map
La Petite Colombe — Franschhoek, sister of La Colombe; book well ahead · lapetitecolombe.com · Map
The Table at De Meye — garden sharing lunch Map · The Fat Butcher — steak Map · De Volkskombuis — family-friendly Map · Le Coin Français Map · Epice Map · La Petite Ferme Map · Grande Provence (Franschhoek) Map.
Franschhoek Motor Museum — over 100 years of automotive history on the L'Ormarins wine estate; booking essential · franschhoekmotormuseum.co.za · Map
Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden — book ahead Map.
Lanzerac Spa · One&Only Spa.
Plett sits on the Garden Route — Blue Flag beaches, the Robberg Nature Reserve hike, whale watching (June–November), and day trips to Knysna and Tsitsikamma Map.
Fly direct — CemAir flies Cape Town → Plettenberg Bay (PBZ) on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, ~1 hour, from R1.6k–2k / $100–125 one-way · flycemair.co.za
Fly via George — FlySafair from ~R930 / $58 and Airlink from ~R1.4k / $88, ~1 hour with multiple flights daily, then a 1h15 drive to Plett.
Drive — ~520 km and ±6 hours, better taken slowly. The N2 climbs over Sir Lowry's Pass with views across False Bay, then runs through the Overberg's canola and wheat fields and past the oak-lined streets of Swellendam. From Mossel Bay the Garden Route begins: the lakes of Wilderness, the Kaaimans River pass, Knysna's lagoon and the Heads, and stretches of indigenous forest — before the road descends into Plett. Make a day (or two) of it, with stops along the way.
Private — fixed-wing charter from ~R35k / $2.2k per aircraft (up to 5 passengers, e.g. via ExecuJet or Air du Cap). Helicopter is at the edge of range — fixed-wing recommended.
Cape Town to Franschhoek. Tap a category to show or hide those pins. Tap a pin for the name and website. Robben Island and Cape Point are in the notes above. Plettenberg Bay is further along the Garden Route.
For our international guests — a few things worth knowing about South Africa in February.
February is peak summer: hot and dry, 25–35°C, with strong sun and an occasional southeaster wind. Pack sunscreen, a hat and light layers.
The currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). Cards are accepted everywhere and tap-to-pay is ubiquitous — you will rarely need cash.
10–15% at restaurants is customary; small change is appreciated by car guards and petrol attendants.
Uber works well in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Don’t walk alone at night in the city — take a car.
Common sense goes a long way: keep valuables out of sight, lock your car, and use Uber after dark.
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the region.
South Africa uses the type M plug — bring an adapter.
Your presence is the greatest gift. If you would like to give something, we would be honoured by a donation to a charity close to our hearts — details to follow.
For guests who would like to see the Cape from the air while they're here — flying on to safari lodges, hopping down the coast to Plettenberg Bay, or taking a scenic flight over the Winelands and the Peninsula.
ExecuJet Cape Town — fixed-wing private charter and a VIP FBO terminal at Cape Town International (Tower Road, CPT). Charter quotes via Luxaviation · luxaviation.com · FBO: execujet.com · +27 21 934 5764 · fbo.fact@execujet.com · Map
Legend Helicopters — JC Geyer is a friend of the family who arranges helicopter experiences: Winelands hops (Delaire Graff, Lanzerac), full Cape Peninsula flights from R22.5k / $1.4k per flight, and lodge transfers · legendhelicopters.co.za · +27 66 157 2994 · book@legendhelicopters.co.za
For questions, write to
wedding@basson.com(number to be added)
We cannot wait to celebrate with you.