From the moment I opened my eyes, I knew it wasn’t going to be just a good day, it would be one of the best days of 2025. I had been through emotional trenches, the kind that drain you to the bone, and somehow I still whispered to myself: joy will meet me today.
For a closer look at my cozy stay and that unforgettable breakfast at Roosenwijn Guest House, check out my earlier post where I dive deeper into the simple joys that set the tone for this magical trip.
It was a cold, rainy Friday in Stellenbosch. I was staying at Roosenwijn Guest House, and the minute I opened those rooftop windows, I felt like I was in a film. Quiet streets, soft drizzle, mountain air. I paused, fully aware I was stepping into a day I’d never forget.
Downstairs, I had breakfast. And let me tell you, it was simple, but it cracked something open in me. Poached eggs, grilled tomato, sausage, bacon. But the strawberry juice? Magical. So fresh, so real, so full of life. I must’ve had three glasses. It reminded me that joy doesn’t need to be loud. Sometimes it’s chilled, pink, and served in silence.
Roosenwijn Guest House 14 Van Riebeeck Street, Stellenbosch Central +27 21 883 3338 www.roosenwijn.co.za
I requested an Uber to Canettevallei Lavender and Wine Farm. My driver wasn’t in the mood, and we took a bit of a detour due to roadworks. But as soon as I arrived, it all melted away. Ingrid, the owner greeted me with a hug that felt like a blessing.
Ingrid, once a French lecturer, now runs this lavender farm alongside her husband, the winemaker behind Super Single Vineyards. Over coffee by the fireplace, she shared how their journey began: starting with lavender oil, then drying flowers, making soap from scratch after a back operation, eventually adding honey harvested from bees that live among the rows.
The farm has a store filled with handcrafted lavender products from soaps, oils, candles, and even curated items from other small businesses. It’s a space for healing. You don’t just visit , you arrive, and you feel.
Even with the icy weather, I insisted on picking lavender. Something in me needed it. We walked through the field, just the two of us, surrounded by birdsong and the hum of bees. My nails were lavender too, alignment in full display.
Lavender contains a natural compound called linalyl acetate. Ingrid explained how it helps calm the nervous system. And I felt it grounding, softening me with every breath. I was quiet, but not heavy. Just present.
Afterward, Suzanne, a lovely sommelier, guided me through a wine tasting. Six wines, each with a story. The Pella Kanniedood Chenin Blanc. The Oukliprant Malbec aged five years in bottle. The creamy-textured Pella Verlatenkloof Merlot. It was more than wine it was conversation, connection, care.
They gifted me a bottle of Chenin Blanc, soaps, and essential oils. That night, I used the lavender soap and essential oil in a long bath. And honestly — lavender became sacred to me from that day forward.
And then, something small but significant happened. Ingrid offered to drive me to my lunch spot she had a drop-off in town and it just aligned. But it wasn’t just a lift. It was another chapter. In the car, we spoke about our families, our dreams, the roads we’ve taken. It was one of those gentle, honest conversations that stays with you long after it ends. And just like everything else that day, it reminded me: I am held, I am heard, I am right where I’m meant to be.
After the tasting and that memorable ride, I was happily buzzing from wine and the beauty of it all. I made my way to De Warenmarkt for lunch a vibrant space that effortlessly blends casual comfort with elevated flavours.
They fed me oysters from Saldanha Bay and Namibia, paired with Simonsig MCC, the first estate in South Africa to produce Méthode Cap Classique. The best samosas I’ve had in my life came next (the girl from Phoenix in me danced), and I paired them with a stunning cab sav. If you want incredible red wine, Stellenbosch is the place. The service? Impeccable. The team was attentive, kind, and made me feel like the most important person in the room and I can talk. They had time for my stories. For my joy.
For my main, I had fish with risotto. Everything was balanced, elegant, honest. This wasn’t just a lunch, it was a moment.
De Warenmarkt 20 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch Central +27 21 883 2274 www.dewarenmarkt.com
Time was moving too fast and I was having the time of my life. Next on my itinerary was a walking tour with Stellenbosch on Foot. I was a few minutes late (how could I not be? I was floating from all that wine and joy), but I was welcomed by the tour guide and a young Dutch couple who had just arrived.
We walked around Stellenbosch, learning about the architecture, the town’s history, and the significance of certain buildings. I lit up like a student on a school trip asking questions, making comments, falling deeper in love with my country. I was fascinated to learn that Stellenbosch University was the first institution in South Africa to offer theology. That struck a chord. As someone who once took religion as an elective and is deeply rooted in faith, it made me feel connected.
This is a town built for curiosity. A place where beauty and history walk hand in hand. Stellenbosch is slow, thoughtful, grounded. As we walked past wine bars and galleries, I whispered to myself: yeah, this is the life I want.
I headed back to Roosenwijn for a quick nap and to freshen up before dinner. By now, I was tired not the bad kind of tired, but the kind you feel after being thoroughly alive. I ran a bath, dropped in lavender oil from the farm, and let it soak into my skin.
Then, dressed in soft confidence, I walked into Rust en Vrede.
As soon as I arrived, I knew I had entered another world. The host greeted me by name. I was ushered into an intimate space ,soft lighting, warm interiors, quiet joy. Couples and families surrounded me. I was alone, but I wasn’t lonely. I was proud. I was home in my body.
I had a six-course dinner with wine pairings that felt like poetry. Each dish was crafted with intention. The menu, curated by Head Chef Fabio Daniel, unfolded like a love letter to flavour rooted in contemporary French cuisine, with gentle nods to his Brazilian–Italian heritage.
The seabass with mango? A revelation. Paired with the 2016 Thelema Chardonnay, it was like tasting brightness. Then came the duck, tender and rich with black garlic, elevated by a 2022 Cirrus Pinot Noir, I nearly closed my eyes at that pairing.
The Kalahari springbok was bold and elegant, while the spiced pumpkin with pistachio as a pre-dessert offered comfort in the most elevated form. The wine pairing, curated by sommelier Cameron Bishop, didn’t just accompany the dishes, it deepened them, each glass telling its own story.
My waiter was kind and fully engaged,attentive without hovering, present without pressure. At one point he told me I was the most interesting guest he had served that night. I believed him. I was the only Black woman in the room, dining alone, and I didn’t feel small, I felt powerful. Seen. The version of me I’ve fought to become.
Toward the end of the evening, Chef Fabio Daniel made his way through the restaurant to greet each guest. When he stopped by my table, it felt significant. I wasn’t just filling a seat. I was being received. Welcomed. This wasn’t just a dinner, it was a declaration.
I ended the night back where I began standing at the window, rain still falling. But this time, I wasn’t wondering how the day would unfold.
I knew it had changed me.
The next morning, I would leave Stellenbosch, but the journey was far from over. There’s so much more to come from this trip, stories, tastes, and moments I can’t wait to share with you.
This story was made possible through a collaboration with Visit Stellenbosch, coordinated by Big Ambitions. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to experience and share this journey.
