We really enjoyed spending our last day in Capetown at the Winelands!
Admiring the landscape as it is art in itself.
The first wines were produced in the Cape back in 1659, and since then, the country has been known for world-class vintages coaxed out of grapes, in some of the most picturesque settings in the region. The heart of South Africa’s wine production lies 45 minutes from Cape Town in the Cape Winelands, and the hubs of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl.
The Delaire Graff Estate is nestled between majestic mountains and overlooks the vineyards of Stellenbosch.
Keith Kirsten is a globally recognized talent behind the gardens and landscaping. A celebrity horticulturalist and global award-winning landscape designer, his expansive knowledge of African flora create an uncompromisingly spectacular display daily. It is a fitting backdrop to the Estate and testament to his boundless passion for plants, people and the environment.
The dining experience at Delaire Graff Estate is definitely one to savour. Their philosophy is to produce beautifully crafted food that reflect the best seasonal, ethically locally sourced ingredients. Fresh produce is picked daily from the Estate’s greenhouse and vegetable gardens. They are also committed to seasonal farming, supporting free-range, pasture-reared livestock and farmers in Africa.
A world-class art destination in the Stellenbosch Valley, Delaire Graff Estate offers a rare chance for art aficionados to view some of Laurence Graff’s personal art collection in an outstanding setting. Frequently named one of the world’s top art collectors, Laurence Graff’s collection at the Estate is a carefully curated showcase of some of South Africa’s finest contemporary artists. We posed by Dylan Lewis’ towering cheetahs cast from solid bronze.
We then visited a very opulent – grandeur lodge called the La Residence. It is a mini, modern Versailles with a contemporary shell and a romantic colonial interior: everywhere the eye comes to rest there’s a Persian rug, exotic antique or fine artwork.
Every one of La Residence’s beautiful suites is unique, but they’re all large, provide with gorgeous views and are decorated with a lavish mix of art and antiques. The Nomatemba suite features accents of the African sun harnessed in the brilliant yellows that enliven this suite.
We also loved white and gold Frangipani, the most tucked-away of the ground-floor suites, for its monumental marble four-poster, 18th-century French dressers and mirrored bathroom (complete with chandelier, roll-top bath and chaise-longue).
The Armani Suite’s muted Whistleresque palette gives it a more contemporary feel. we love its oversize ballet painting, distressed sideboard and Moroccan bathroom chest.
The feminine Disa Suite is all delicate pinks and pretty greens, with a balcony looking over the pool to the mountains beyond, an unusual grass-green four-poster and mirrored deco-style sink cabinets.
Finally, the ground-floor Chambre Bleu has two private verandahs. It also provides spellbinding views from the pond to the peaks from pink-hued Hibiscus, for those days when you don’t know what sort of view you fancy. The exotic Indian-themed Maharani above it has two balconies.
The estate has many activities to offer for couples and families; and the staff are more than willing to personalize your itinerary. A range of cooking classes, tours and even more adventurous experiences are a ring away.
It was so nice to be shown around Franschoek by locals. The staff were so happy to see them back and of course the warmth and friendliness was overflowing. They used to live here until they transferred to Hout Bay.
We enjoyed our last evening in Cape Town with despedida cocktails in the magazine-worthy abode of Jose Cortes III at Hout Bay. Their beautiful home has a backyard that leads to a stream, which then leads to a hiking path that is part of the Table Mountain National Park.
Where In The World is Penny K 