Kunjani Wines

"How are you?" in the Bottelary Hills

Kunjani Wines (also styled Kunjani Villas & Wines) is a boutique Stellenbosch wine estate in the Bottelary Hills near Devonvale, founded by Paul Barth and Pia Watermeyer. The name Kunjani means "Hi, how are you?" in Zulu—a greeting that the owners use as a shorthand for connection, hospitality and slowing down among the vines. What began as a cross-continental wine-and-design dream (Paul from Germany's Rheingau; Pia a South African entrepreneur) has matured into a working wine farm best known today for luxury self-catering and bed-and-breakfast villas on a vineyard setting.

Important visitor context for 2025 onward: the popular restaurant and public tasting venue closed (end of April 2025) so the building could be converted into additional villas. Kunjani now operates primarily as a wine-farm accommodation destination; wines remain available to guests and via direct / selected retail channels. Do not plan a casual restaurant lunch or walk-in tasting without checking the current website.

Location and character

• Address: Farm 90/20, Blumberg Drive, Devonvale, Stellenbosch, 7600
• Setting: Bottelary Hills working estate with vineyard views (including Shiraz plantings frequently praised by guests)
• Access: Roughly 40 minutes from Cape Town International Airport in typical traffic—useful for winelands leisure and business travellers
• Website: kunjaniwines.co.za / kunjani-villas.co.za
• Contact: +27 87 630 0409 · info@kunjaniwines.co.za / info@kunjani-villas.co.za

Architecture leans modern—bright façades, clean lines, private terraces—rather than Cape Dutch theatre. Guests repeatedly describe privacy, vineyard outlooks and a personal (not hotel-chain) feel. Paul and Pia’s origin story—meeting at a wedding, searching for the right vineyard, Pia recognising Kunjani first, Paul convinced on a walk through the vines—still colours how the brand talks about place.

The wine story

Kunjani positions itself as a boutique Stellenbosch producer showcasing Bottelary fruit with a mix of refreshing whites and structured reds. The published collection includes:

• Chenin Blanc — tropical fruit, crisp acidity
• Sauvignon Blanc — green apple, citrus, subtle minerality
• Stolen Chicken Rosé — delicate berry, soft dry palate (the playful name also appears on a villa)
• Shiraz — bold, spice and dark fruit; 2015 earned a Gold at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards and Top 12 finalist status at the Shiraz Challenge
• Cabernet Sauvignon — blackcurrant, oak integration
• Red Blend — multi-varietal structure and richness

Guests staying on the farm can typically purchase wine on site; the estate also references select restaurants, boutiques and retailers, plus a loyalty / wine club with volume discounts and event access. Confirm current public tasting policy after the restaurant conversion—many travellers now experience the wines as part of a villa stay rather than a day-trip cellar door.

Villas and stay experience

Kunjani's core product is private villas combining self-catering kitchens with breakfast options—bed-and-breakfast flexibility without losing privacy. Named units (offerings evolve as the restaurant building becomes more villas) have included:

• Private Cellar Villa, Presidential Villa, Residence Villa
• Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz villas
• Stolen Chicken Villa (two-bedroom romantic configuration)
• Garden Cottage

Expect modern kitchens, lounges, private verandas with BBQ, and vineyard or Paardeberg-facing views depending on unit. The estate markets itself to couples, families, golfers and business travellers who want a base for Stellenbosch and Franschhoek day trips without hotel corridors. Expanded villa inventory after the 2025 conversion increases capacity while keeping the "not a hotel" promise.

From restaurant fame to accommodation focus

For several years Kunjani was equally known for its restaurant deck, vineyard views and seven-day hospitality. Sustained demand for villas led co-owner Pia Watermeyer to announce a strategic shift: close the restaurant (last service April 2025), convert that building into additional villas (targeted late 2025 opening in contemporary reporting), and lean into accommodation as the primary business. Wine production and guest wine sales continue; the "magic" of the place is now framed around overnight immersion rather than lunch bookings.

If you knew Kunjani primarily for Sunset Fridays or long restaurant lunches, treat current trip planning as a stay-first experience and verify any residual day-visitor wine offerings before you arrive.

Bottelary itinerary fit

Kunjani anchors a Bottelary Hills overnight rather than a rapid tasting hop. Use it as a stylish base, then day-trip to neighbouring Bottelary and Stellenbosch cellars. Wine-curious guests should ask the team about estate bottles, the Michelangelo-recognised Shiraz and any private cellar experiences available to in-house guests. Day-trip-only visitors should confirm whether public tastings have resumed after the villa conversion.

Visit tips

• Book villas via the official site; breakfast + kitchen is the usual formula
• Do not assume restaurant or walk-in tasting hours post-April 2025
• Buy wine during your stay; ask about retailer stock if shipping home
• Ideal for couples and small groups wanting privacy among vines
• Combine with Bottelary Road estates for daytime tasting circuits

FAQ

What does Kunjani mean?

Zulu for "Hi, how are you?"—the estate's hospitality motto.

Is there still a restaurant?

The restaurant closed end of April 2025 to make way for more villas; verify any new F&B on the current website.

Can day visitors taste wine?

Public tasting arrangements changed with the restaurant closure—confirm directly; overnight guests are the primary wine audience.