Winelands Villas It has been said that vines only truly flourish in places of extreme beauty. Which may explain the exceptional character of the Cape’s wines, produced by a terroir typified by rich, fertile valleys watered by crystal-clear springs filtered through granite and limestone, and cooled by winter rains and summer coastal breezes. There are over a dozen designated wine routes in the Cape, but the most popular—Helderberg, Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek—are contained within the area known as the Winelands, and offer the best combination of historic architecture, world-class wines and unparalleled dining—all served with a generous helping of vineyard-clad views. Which makes a Winelands’ Villa the perfect place for gourmands seeking sybaritic pleasures in rural peace, yet within 40 to 75 minutes from the city centre.
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Eagle’s Villa P erched high above the Cape’s oldest wine-producing area, the aptly
named Eagle’s Villa takes full advantage of its panoramic surrounds, with large folding glass doors and extensive balconies and patios
from which to marvel at the lush forest, rolling vineyards and majestic
mountainscape. Interiors are uncluttered, with a natural palette to reflect the quiet and contemplative mood the house evokes. It’s a place that invites relaxation and engagement in equal measure: from working out in the 20m lap pool to reclining in the postcard-perfect picnic area in the garden, or strolling along the many gorgeous walks (all starting right from your front door!) and sampling the award-winning wines from the surrounding vineyards. A chic rural retreat, yet a mere 20-minute chauffeur-driven trip to the city centre. The Eagle has indeed landed.
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AT A GLANCE LOCATION: Constantia Road, Constantia, Cape Town. SLEEPS: 8 in 4 double rooms (or 3 double and 1 twin-bedded room).
Perched high DERYH WKH &DSHĹ?V oldest wineproducing area, WKH YLOOD WDNHV IXOO DGYDQWDJH RI the panoramic surrounds, with ODUJH IROGLQJ JODVV doors, balconies and patios to HQMR\ WKH PDMHVWLF YLHZV
LIVING SPACES: A wrap-around ZRRGHQ GHFN OHDGV RĹż IURP DOO entertainment areas on the ground Ć RRU 7KH VXQNHQ IRUPDO ORXQJH ZLWK Ć€UHSODFH LV RSHQ WR WKH GLQLQJ room with 10-seater table. The DGMDFHQW RSHQ SODQ NLWFKHQ LV IXOO\ HTXLSSHG ZLWK D VFXOOHU\ SDQWU\ DQG ODXQGU\ URRP DWWDFKHG 7KH VHFRQG ORXQJH ZLWK 79 Ć€UHSODFH and bar area) runs alongside the kitchen and leads onto the outdoor entertainment/pool area. The third ORXQJH LV RQ WKH VHFRQG Ć RRU ZLWK workstation (desktop computer; printer; Wi-Fi throughout). BEDROOM CONFIGURATION: The VSDFLRXV DQG LPPDFXODWHO\ Ć€WWHG open-plan master bedroom with IRXU SRVWHU NLQJ VL]H EHG ODYLVKO\
appointed bathroom, additional RXWGRRU VKRZHU DQG URRP\ ZDON LQ FXSERDUG DOORZV \RX WR WDNH LQVLGH OLYLQJ RXWVLGH ZLWK ODUJH IROG DZD\ glass doors opening onto wrapDURXQG EDOFRQ\ RYHUORRNLQJ OXVK gardens. The adjacent bedroom with interleading door and single EHG PD\ EH XVHG DV D VPDOO FKLOGĹ?V bedroom. The 3 en-suite bedrooms RQ WKH ƉQG Ć RRU DUH IXUQLVKHG ZLWK WZR TXHHQ VL]HG EHGV DQG RQH NLQJ VL]H EHG RU Ɖ WZLQV UHVSHFWLYHO\ DOO KDYH DPSOH FXSERDUG VSDFH 7KH ODUJHU EHGURRP NLQJ VL]H RU twin) has its own deck and minientertainment area. OUTDOOR/FACILITIES: Entertainment area comprises two BBQ DUHDV RXWGRRU IULGJH D ĆˆĆ‰ VHDWHU patio dining area, outside lounge, Ć? VHDWHU -DFX]]L DQG ƉƇP ODS SRRO IHQFHG IRU FKLOGUHQĹ?V VDIHW\ 3LFQLF DUHD SDUWO\ VKDGHG E\ D %HGRXLQ WHQW 3ULYDWH VXUURXQGLQJ
IDUPODQG IRU EHDXWLIXO ZDONV LQ DOPRVW HYHU\ GLUHFWLRQ 6DWHOOLWH TV with PVR decoder; Wi-Fi throughout; integrated music V\VWHP '9' SOD\HUV SERVICES & SECURITY: 3ULYDWH FKHI GULYHU DQG Ɖ GLVFUHHW KRXVHNHHSHUV DW \RXU VHUYLFH &RQWLQHQWDO EUHDNIDVW LQFOXGHG LQ UDWH /X[XULRXV Ć? VHDWHU $XGL 4ĆŽ YHKLFOH LQFOXGHG IXHO IRU RZQ DFFRXQW 7ULSOH JDUDJH DQG SDUNLQJ IRU Ć? FDUV LQ GULYHZD\ 6HFXUH ERXWLTXH ZLQH HVWDWH SURYLGHV ƉƋ ĆŽ VHFXULW\ NEIGHBOURHOOD: Located at the VWDUW RI WKH &RQVWDQWLD ZLQH URXWH \HW ƉƇ PLQXWHV WR WKH FLW\ :DWHUIURQW DQG $WODQWLF EHDFKHV :LWKLQ HDV\ VWULNLQJ GLVWDQFH IURP &DSH 3RLQW DQG )DOVH %D\ EHDFKHV DQG LWV TXDLQW FRDVWDO WRZQV :LWKLQ ĆŠNP RI &RQVWDQWLD YLOODJH VKRSSLQJ FHQWUH DQG IXOO VHUYLFH J\P 5HVWDXUDQWV UHJXODUO\ UDWHG LQ WKH WRS ĆˆĆ‡ LQ WKH FRXQWU\ ZLWKLQ D ĆˆĆ‡NP UDGLXV
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Journey’s End V
iews are always a key criterion when selecting our villas, but Journey’s End really is a showstopper. Travelling along the gravel road that climbs ever higher up the
imposing Hottentots Holland mountain range, past bucolic vineyards cooled by coastal breezes, you just know you’re heading somewhere special. And when the journey finally ends at this gorgeous estate, and you’re greeted by the dramatic sweeping views of the entire False Bay coastline, you know you’ve arrived. With craggy mountains that plunge into a glistening ocean seemingly as far as the eye can see, it’s a view that captures the majesty of the Cape, softened by the vineyard carpet at your feet, planted in a terroir that consistently produces awardwinning wines. A modern incarnation of the African farmhouse, Journey’s End offers sprawling easy-living spaces, built to make the most of the local lifestyle—a great space to entertain, kick back, cool off, get comfortable and really, really relax… Whoever said it’s the journey that counts, never ended it here.
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Whoever said it’s the journey that counts never ended it here, greeted by the sweeping False Bay coastline.
AT A GLANCE LOCATION: Journey’s End Estate, Somerset West, Western Cape. SLEEPS: 10 in 3 double rooms and 2 twin-bedded rooms. LIVING SPACES: The living areas are all open plan with doors leading to the RXWGRRUV FUHDWLQJ DQ HDV\ Ć RZ WR WKH stunning views. The kitchen has an informal living area leading to the FRXUW\DUG DQG LQĆ€QLW\ SRRO DQG %%4 area. The more formal dining room (seating up to 12 people) has views of the pool. Most areas have panoramic views over the vineyards to False Bay—on a clear day you can see right through to the Cape of Good Hope. The loft-style TV area with sound system overlooks the lounge area. BEDROOM CONFIGURATION: $OO Ć€YH rooms are en-suite with stunning views. Two of the bedrooms are downstairs; three are upstairs. One of the upstairs bedrooms has its own private entrance and kitchenette. OUTDOOR/FACILITIES: The outdoor entertainment area is well equipped ZLWK FRPIRUWDEOH VHDWLQJ DQG %%4
The pool has gorgeous views over the bay. There is a large veranda in front to enjoy more splendid views. )DFLOLWLHV LQFOXGH KRUVHULGLQJ Ć€VKLQJ winetasting and hiking. SERVICES & SECURITY: Serviced daily. There is a farm manager living on the premises. State-of-the-art alarm system. A full catering service is available on request. SURROUNDS: The Cape Helderberg (45 minutes’ drive from Cape Town) is one of the most visually dramatic areas in the Cape, with the Hottentots Holland and Helderberg Mountain ranges a backdrop against which the valley descends into vineyards and Ć€QDOO\ RQWR D FRDVWOLQH VZHSW ZLWK white, sandy beaches. A designated wine-producing region bordering 6WHOOHQERVFK LW EHQHĆ€WV IURP VRXWK facing slopes and coastal breezes. Aside from wine tours, and the beaches and waterfront delights of *RUGRQĹ?V %D\ WKHUH LV D PDJQLĆ€FHQW FRDVWDO URXWH WR +HUPDQXVĹ›XQRĆ‚FLDO whale-watching capital of the Cape.
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P
Paarl Rock Villa erched high on the slopes of
profile that covers stately Cape Dutch
Paarl mountain, under the
and frilly Victorian; well-proportioned
glistening granite rock that gave
Edwardian and colourful Art Deco.
the valley its name, you’ll feel rather like
Part of the beautiful Cape Winelands,
a leopard sprawled in the bow of the tall-
Paarl offers easy access to the estates
est tree, only far more comfortable. The
and wines that have put it on every
multi-levelled Paarl Rock Villa offers
oenophile’s map. After touring the
every luxury, but it’s the view (a familiar
region’s top wineries, as the sun starts
refrain!) we truly love. Embraced by the
to sink behind the mountains, there are
craggy Drakenstein mountain range,
few greater pleasures than retiring to
much of it covered in vineyards, Paarl
this elevated lair to sample your plunder
valley beckons below—third oldest town
—you’ll not have to lift a finger, other
in South Africa, with an architectural
than to summon your butler.
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AT A GLANCE LOCATION: Monte Cristo Avenue, Paarl, Cape Winelands. SLEEPS: 10 in 5 double rooms. LIVING SPACES: The open-plan entertainment area (middle level) has two spacious lounges, dining room (seating up to 12) and bar, all leading onto the extensive pool terrace. The bar area has a Baby Grand; a few steps below lies the formal lounge, and the TV lounge OHDGV RĹż WKLV IUHH Ć RZLQJ entertainment area. Serviced by a state-of-the-art kitchen. BEDROOM CONFIGURATION: All the bedrooms, most of them (4) on the top level, enjoy spectacular views and have private bathrooms; three are en-suite while two have
bathrooms situated across the upstairs landing. All bathrooms have separate tub and shower. The main suite is the largest and features a Jacuzzi bath glass brick shower with a skylight. All bedrooms have a TV and DVD player.
SERVICES AND SECURITY: Serviced daily. Breakfast cooked daily when you rise (included in rate, as are FRĹżHH WHD DQG VRIW GULQNV %XWOHU service is also included in the rate. Security comprises alarm, perimeter beams and armed response back-up.
OUTDOOR/FACILITIES: Paarl Rock Villa is built on a double terraced plot with carefully landscaped gardens. The heated pool and fountain terrace (middle level) is furnished with comfortable seating, pool loungers and umbrellas, and dining table (seating 10). There is a gas BBQ and Weber. The fullyHTXLSSHG J\P RĹżHUV D -DFX]]L sauna and steam shower and opens onto the pool terrace. Garage and carport can both take two cars, ZLWK RĹż VWUHHW SDUNLQJ IRU D IXUWKHU four cars.
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Located in a quiet residential area, overlooking the picturesque valley. A mere 45 minutes from Cape Town, and 20 minutes from Franschhoek, Paarl Rock Villa is perfectly positioned to combine sightseeing trips to the city with visits to the Winelands’ numerous award-winning estates, restaurants and golf-courses (15 minutes from two championship golf courses), as well as a nearby polo venue. Aside from wine tours, there is plenty to enjoy, from FKHHVH WDVWLQJ WR EXWWHUĆ \ VSRWWLQJ
One of life’s great pleasures: retiring to this lair to sample your plunder.
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