Weaving Past and Present: Bosjes Farm

Words: Mia McCarthy

In the voorkamer of the original Bosjes manor house, someone has framed an unfinished lace pattern. The loose threads are pinned in place, wrapped around their bobbins, holding fast the moment in time where an artisan would have passed hand over hand to weave the delicate web that remains. 

Handmade lace reigned as a luxury textile from the 16th to the 19th century. Heirloom pieces were kept in precious trousseaus alongside the family jewels for safekeeping, and noblemen would trade acres of good vineyard in exchange for a lace ruff. Given the long history of Bosjes farm in the largest wine-producing region of the Western Cape, one wonders how many vines this wall hanging would have been worth at the peak of lace supremacy in the 19th century. 

It’s not a stretch of the imagination, given that the Bosjes estate, as we know it, was acquired by the Botha and Stofberg families in 1831. The original farm was established in 1790, a date inscribed between two pineapples on the Dutch gable of the manor house. Pushing open the original Dutch door — a heft of solid wood resting on iron hinges — one gets a real sense of the historical density of a site like Bosjes. But it’s the present-day enhancements that render it such an extraordinary attraction for visitors from across the globe.  

When you walk through the heavy Dutch door, the first thing you’ll notice is an enormous erythrina lysistema or coral tree, scattering its coquelicot lucky beans in the heart of the garden. If you follow the tranquil trickle of the water feature to the right, you’ll find the Bosjes Kombuis, a seasonal restaurant open exclusively for lunch bookings. And, if you continue right of the vividly red coral tree, you’ll find its true blue twin on a breathtaking mural completed by Cape Town artists, Lucie de Moyencourt and Michael Chandler. 

The Tree of Life is a Delft-inspired mural made up of 366 hand-painted tiles. The artwork depicts, in exquisite detail, the flora and fauna that can be found in the area. One could spend many happy hours identifying familiar critters in unexpected places. My favourite feature was a Delftware pottery shard painted at the foot of the tree, a self-referencing homage to the pieces of history often unearthed on Cape farmlands.

The grounds unfold south of the Bosjes Kombuis, encompassing the Gardens, the Spens, the Winkel, the Chapel, and Die Stalle — a luxury spa housed in converted stables. Our guide, Marné, took us to the very outskirts of the Bosjes estate. The farm is dotted with small indigenous fruit orchards and vineyards, but it also produces peaches, olives, and proteas on a commercial scale. Beyond the protea field lies the new Botha’s Halte Primary School, a state-of-the-art institution sponsored by the Bosjes Trust in continuity of the farm’s long history of investing in local education. 

Our informal evening tour of the gardens was led by an affectionate farm cat, who led us to the boombrug canopy walk. We also strolled past the Spens garden café and Winkel gift shop, hibernating in their burrows. Here, day visitors can shop artisanal goods or pick up a light meal to go.  

The overwhelming impression one gets from walking through the Bosjes gardens is one of mindful design. Every building, landscape, and child-friendly play feature has been created in deference to a rich and varied past. In the dome of Die Spens, you can trace an architectural nod to the matjieshuise of the Nama people. In the line of Bosjes Chapel roof, you’ll recognise the curve of a Dutch gable. 

The Chapel is one of the most-photographed features of Bosjes farm, and it’s easy to see why. The undulating roof unfurls, ethereal and orchid-like, against the sublime backdrop of the Slanghoek mountain range. The simple furnishings and glass walls of the chapel leave all the glory to its natural surroundings, making for a truly picturesque setting for a wedding ceremony in the cherished company of friends and family. 

This is, after all, what Bosjes was designed for. The Bosjes Herehuis is a converted guesthouse offering five comfortably furnished rooms, ideal for large families or wedding parties (though each room can be booked individually). 

No luxury is overlooked at Bosjes. We enjoyed welcome snacks of nuts and biltong from the well-stocked coffee station on the balcony of the Executive Suite, overlooking the foothills where springbok, sable antelope, and three resident giraffes (Tina, Kobus, and Jackie) browsed. Later, we returned from our tour of the grounds to heated floors in the tastefully decorated bathroom; a small detail that made all the difference against the encroaching winter chill. 

On our return from the formal tour, Marné pointed out the Bosjes logo welded into the gates — a pineapple. An exotic fruit that was once difficult to obtain, the pineapple signifies special effort. Its use as a symbol for hospitality dates back to the 17th century. 

At Bosjes, the threads of past and present are interlaced like the warp and weft of a well-worn textile. Each and every element of the experience is curated with both a reverence for the far-reaching history of the land and an appreciation for modern-day luxury. Whether you’re plotting a comfortable stop on your next tour of the winelands or seeking a site to host an important life event, Bosjes will welcome you with historical charm and hospitality.