South Africa, Cape Town, July 2010; THE iconic Vineyard Hotel & Spa has literally opened its garden gates, so the general public can also enjoy the establishment’s renowned gardens. Starting this spring, monthly garden walks will be organised - followed by a delicious Morning or Afternoon Tea in the hotel’s lounge and patio.

Group Environmental Manager for the Vineyard Hotel & Spa, d’Ouwe Werf and the Townhouse Hotel & Conference Centre, Chris van Zyl, has been hosting garden walks on request for the Vineyard’s guests and local garden clubs since 2002. “Now we’d like to make this a more formal arrangement,” he says, “with garden walks offered to anyone interested, once or even twice a month. The walks will be advertised in the media, so that guests and the interested public can come and enjoy our indigenous gardens.”

Chris says many people don’t realise the hotel gardens and facilities – with the exception of the pool and gym – are open for the public to experience. “Anyone is welcome to walk in, go for a stroll in the garden and enjoy a cup of coffee or even a sundowner at the bar.”

On the planned garden walks, guests will spend approximately 90 minutes enthralled by the spectacular gardens designed and laid out by renowned landscape architect, Ann Sutton. Historical information will also be shared, since the property has been an estate since 1799 – and was once home to Lady Anne Barnard. However, the emphasis of the walks remains botanical, and medicinal plants will also be pointed out. Birds and insects will be discussed when seen, and interesting geological formations – that resemble fossilised water ripples - will also be discussed.

“The Vineyard Hotel’s garden has a wide variety of indigenous trees, as well as other special species that don’t usually occur in this part of Africa,” says Chris, “but because we have a micro climate, there are even some tropical tree species flourishing here such as the African flame tree, which doesn’t generally grow in Cape Town.”

The garden walks will be available throughout the year and will follow a circular route and meander along the Liesbeek River too. “Importantly,” says Chris, “visitors will be able to see what a natural garden looks like. Many hotels have either formal clipped gardens or modern layouts, but at the Vineyard we have allowed the garden to happen in a natural way. We don’t plant annuals for colour either, and rather rely on the indigenous plants to introduce seasonal colour.”

Recently appointed Food and Beverage Manager at the Vineyard Hotel & Spa, Matt Deitchman, says: “We are encouraging interested groups to enjoy the gardens and what the hotel has to offer. Both morning and afternoon walks are an option, depending on demand, and each group will be served different accompaniments with tea and coffee.” A choice of scones, Danish Pastries or finger sandwiches will be served with tea and coffee priced from R40, which includes the guided garden walk. “We want it to be affordable and enjoyable for as many people as possible,” says Matt.

While the ideal group size is between 10 and 15 people, larger groups are also most welcome to book for garden walks. It’s an ideal outing if you feel like ‘a walk in the park’, right in the heart of Cape Town.

A more substantial Afternoon Tea offering is also available which is priced at R90.00 per person and served daily from 15h00 – 17h30.

For the Vineyard’s garden walk bookings and monthly diary call (27) (21) 657 4500; email: eat@vineyard.co.za; visit www.vineyard.co.za.

For press assistance contact Ian Manley of Manley Communications on 0861 MANLEY (626 539), email to premierbrands@publicity.co.za or visit the Press Room of Manley Communications at www.manleycommunications.co.za.

EDITOR'S NOTES:

The Vineyard Hotel & Spa Garden Walks will be available monthly throughout the year. The following dates have been confirmed and all future dates will be available on the hotel’s website – www.vineyard.co.za.

Monday, 9 August 2010 (Women’s Day)
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010

ENDS/