A valley estate above the vineyards
Bona Dea Private Estate sits on the mountain slopes of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, 2.5 km from Hermanus on the Cape Whale Coast. Vineyards, wild fynbos and rolling hills surround the buildings, and the estate hosts one wedding at a time, with the whole estate, team and grounds for the day.
The ceremony
The Garden and Treed Terrace is an open-air ceremony site beneath trees strung with 20,000 fairy lights, with raised terraces, water features and lawns and the valley behind. The Candlelit Chapel, on the lower ground level, is lit by hundreds of candles and rings of greenery, and is a sheltered alternative and a wet-weather backup. Each takes up to 250 guests.
The reception
The column-free Ballroom takes up to 250 guests for a seated reception, with a fairy-lit ceiling, a mirrored dance floor and a cocktail bar lounge. For larger groups a marquee can be erected in the parking area for up to 350 guests. Catering can be arranged through the estate or brought in, and the Kostelijk Restaurant on the estate serves its own dishes.
Where to stay
Guests can stay on the estate in the Manor House, which has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and sleeps six, closest to the wedding venue, in the newly renovated Protea Cottage, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, or in Olive Cottage, a self-catering cottage on two levels. There are also Fynbos Eco Pods.
Planning notes
The estate is about 110 km from Cape Town International Airport, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car via the N2, R43 and R320, and Camphill Road, a gravel road, branches off the R320 in the valley. There is secure on-site parking. Rates are given on enquiry. Nearby, the Hemel-en-Aarde wine route and whale watching at Hermanus are among the things to do.
