Jean-Pierre Uys Photography

As most of you will know, Vrede en Lust has one of the most amazing and popular wedding venues in the country – even if we may say so ourselves.  This time of the year wedding season is in full swing and young couples are either getting engaged, are busy planning their wedding or getting married.  Everyone has a bit of a hop and a skip in their walk and feel ready to fall in love.  For those who have long been married and have no interest to read about beautiful dresses, jaw-dropping views and pretty flowers… feel free to head on over to the wine section here.

Let’s be honest… this time of year no one is really in the mood to read anything or learn anything new. Instead of boring you with details about all the photographic opportunities on the estate, boutique accommodation for most of your guests, award-winning wines, our amazing venue and super professional and friendly hospitality staff to name a few things… I am just going to make this post a feast for the eyes:)  I even created a mood board with images from Pinterest to showcase a few beautiful ideas to incorporate into your wedding.

Our Pinterest mood board

Vivid Blue Photography

Vivid Blue Photography

Nikki Meyer Photography

Jean-Pierre Uys Photography

Jean-Pierre Uys Photography

Zara Zoo Photography

It literally looks as if Rudolph the red nose reindeer sneezed all over Vrede en Lust… We are completely in the spirit of things and every inch of the tasting room and entrance have been decorated with Christmas trimmings.

Since our colour is red it is just normal that all of us absolutely adore Christmas at the estate.  First, we would like to thank all our loyal customers who have supported us through this year which has indeed been a wonderful year for Vrede en Lust.  So much has happened and so many successes have been celebrated and none of it would have been possible without the loyal clients of Vrede en Lust.  We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a blessed festive season with family and friends.

To show our gratitude we are running a wide variety of specials during the festive season and would like to invite everyone to pay a visit to our “Christmas tasting room”.

Bin-end Specials (only in our tasting room):

Casey’s Ridge Viognier 2010

Barrique 2010

Pinot Grigio 2010

CCV 2010

Buy 6 bottles for the price of 5:

Sarah 2010 (Unwooded Chardonnay)

Casey’s Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2011

White Mischief 2011

Accommodation Specials for January and February

Jonkmanshuis Cottages:  R 650 p.p.s.p.n - normal rate R 890

Manor House: R 1500 p.p.s.p.n - normal rate R 2270

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This is our season for maintenance and upgrades in order for us to operate in full steam when the busy season starts again.  We would like to inform you of the following closing times for certain areas of the estate:

Our tasting room will be closed from 16 July 2012 until 13 August 2012. We will reopen again on the 14th, energised and ready to serve our guests passionately!

Vrede en Lust accommodation will also be closed during this period as they will be fluffing their pillows and airing their mattresses for the busy season ahead. They will re-open on the 13th of August.

Cotage Fromage will still be serving their mouth-watering dishes during the winter with some lovely, warm, and winter specials but will be closed for business on Mondays and Tuesday.

We will have a few surprises in store for the new season…

Vrede en Lust will be offering their Jonkmans houses and the magnificent Manor house at only R550 p.p per night during this weekend!

Jonkmans houses

Normal rate:  R890 p.p

Special rate:  R550 p.p

Manor house

Normal rate: R2270 p.p

Special rate: R550 p.p

We look forward to welcoming you at the estate for the weekend.

Book your accommodation - WE ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED FOR BASTILLE WEEKEND

To help celebrate a Season of France and the twinning between the Rhône-Alpes Region, there are 10 winemaker coming down from France to participate in Bastille, along with their top wines, to help take Bastille a few notches up! We expect a few top French chefs as well.

The 2012 Bastille festival will start on Friday the 13th of July with some technical wine tastings for the Vignerons de Franschhoek. The goal of course, is learning and working together, in order to raise the standard of all wines produced by members. There will be some more tastings in the afternoon and a VIP event for local media, government officials and dignitaries held at La Motte in the evening. The public side of Bastille will be held over the 14th and the 15th of July.

Vrede en Lust and Cotage Fromage  will both have a stand in the main Food and Wine marquee and two of our wines will be included in the tutored tastings. The winery will of course be open during the weekend so those wishing a more relaxed breakfast on the way in to Franschhoek, coffee on the way back or even a tasting of the full range! We have some accommodation available but early booking is essential!

There will be some special tutored tastings held by the French winemakers on Saturday and Sunday mornings at grand Provence, ahead of the rest of daily activities. In addition to the top Rhone wines, there will be a selection of the best of Franschhoek’s wines included and the selection will be different each day. These tastings will cost R395 per person and tickets are on sale at Webtickets. Due to limit seating, early reservations will be essential, so please dont snooze if you are a wine lover!

In addition to the normal Bastille Food & Wine Marquee (access at R150 per person per day), there will also be a VIP Marquee this year, featuring the French winemakers, their wines and the top Rhone style wines from the Vignerons de Franschhoek. There will also be some relaxing areas, a food platter and access to the Food & Wine marque. Access to the VIP marquee will cost R395 per person per day and is limited to only 200 tickets per day. Early booking is going to be essential, via Webtickets!

The good news, is that the wines showcases by the French winemakers will also be available for sale at the festival! New this year will also be a hall featuring a larger range of French products, including top imported cheeses, champagnes etc. A great reason to plan a weekend in the beautiful Franschhoek wine valley!