MAISON FRANSCHHOEK FR A NSCHHOEK, C A PE W INEL A NDS
Complete
Luxury
As you amble down an avenue of soaring poplar trees, passing the olive groves, the watsonias, wild garlic and agapanthus, and enter the front door of the farmhouse, it’s palpable what cunning artistry, savvy expertise, love and wisdom has gone into the restoration of Maison. It is a product of the owners’ manifestation of all that they have sought out to achieve in life, and all that they have indeed accomplished. Special, sentimental antique collections that have been discovered during their travels around the world blend in with the neutral, natural theme that prevails. Vast, open living spaces seep out into the gardens, under the wisteria pergola and giant old oaks, over the iris and into the vineyards. An endless flow of what’s outside seeps back in through the big sliding doors that disappear into cavity walls, allowing the views to permeate every room. The ongoing sentiment of contemporary luxury marrying old charm is evident in all of the five large bedrooms, the openplan kitchens, the living and dining areas – where stateof-the art fireplaces crackle over Indonesian teak floors, that lie beneath the original blue gum beams.
It’s a place that gives full consent to those yearning a Babylonian escape at their very own wine estate. The beds and their linens say it’s ok to allow the early morning sun to stream through the shutters as you lie there an extra hour. The swimming pools implore you to wade about in their cool waters whilst the sun sets behind the mountains. The dining table encourages you to continue those hearty conversations and add to the wine stains and drippings of candle wax. The resident owls will let you know when it’s time to blow the candles out. The gardens guide you through the vines, the naartjie orchards, down a little pathway and all the way to Chefs Warehouse – the award-winning restaurant by chef Liam Tomlin – that’s on the farm. This is Franschhoek after all – and as much as it is about the wine, it is as much about the food and the finer things in life.
Relax and
Rewind