Boutique hotel opens in Cape Winelands

Formerly known as La Couronne Hotel and Restaurant, the property was severely damaged by fire in February 2006. The hotel's main wing including the restaurant, kitchen, spa and gymnasium as well as seven rooms were gutted. With the temporary closure of the well known hotel renowned as a gourmet destination, owners Miko Rwayitare and Erwin Schnitzler used the opportunity to merge the hotel and their neighbouring Mont Rochelle Mountain Vineyards to create the new Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards brand.

Accommodation: 16 well-appointed en-suite bedrooms and a further six sumptuous suites span over the three wings of the Hotel giving guests the privacy one would expect of a boutique country retreat. Each en suite bedroom and suite is individually decorated and facilities such as telephones, safes, underfloor heating, air conditioning and in-room refreshments are the norm.

The Garden Wing is a warm and welcoming introduction to the Hotel and is home to the Reception, the Colonial Cigar Bar, the Business Centre, eight of the luxury bedrooms and one junior suite.

The second wing is the refurbished Manor House incorporating the fine dining restaurant, two junior suites, one deluxe suite and two luxury bedrooms. Downstairs from the restaurant is the Vineyard Wing with two deluxe suites - each with private plunge pools and a further six luxury bedrooms each with private garden.

The new Mange Tout fine dining restaurant is located at the main wing of the hotel and a new second venue located on the farm called the Mont Rochelle Restaurant will offer the ideal country setting for an al fresco summer lunch as well as a cosy option during the brief winter months.

The Mont Rochelle Restaurant located at the wine tasting venue, is a relaxed affair offering up-market Mediterranean styled cuisine set in a beautiful country garden.

Facilities and Extras: Vineyard walking trials, wineland picnics, mountain biking and a massage room are just some of the many choices available to relax and unwind.

The property's equestrian centre allows guests to unwind with hour-long rides through the breathtaking countryside - and for those who wish to have a riding experience with a difference a Wine Tasting Tour on Horse Back can also be arranged. For the less adventurous there are private wine tastings, cellar tours and wine sales.

Wines and Winery: The Mont Rochelle Mountain Vineyards is situated against the spectacular backdrop of the Klein Dassenberg Mountains. The cellar layout and design is influenced by the fact that it started out, as an old fruit packing shed and the original Cape Dutch buildings have been preserved to showcase the history and traditions of the boutique vineyard.

At present 16 of the total 42 hectares is under vine with cultivars ranging from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Shiraz to Cabernet Sauvignon. This boutique winery produces a host of extraordinary wines, which consists of two Sauvignon Blancs, two Chardonnays, two Merlots, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Shiraz and an Artemis - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Merlot and Shiraz.

Traditional wine making techniques are still employed and the winemaker's hands-on approach ensures that only the most superior wines are produced from the noble vineyard cultivars.