Luxury Getaways in South Africa's Wine Estates

Unexpectedly, we received an invitation from our long-standing partner La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek to stay overnight in one of their Vineyard Suites, celebrating our 10-year partnership anniversary. Grateful for the opportunity, we accepted and took advantage of a break without knowing what awaited us.

Luxury Accommodation in the Vineyard

We knew that La Petite Ferme underwent extensive renovations after the new ownership, but we were unaware that this charming farm had evolved into one of the most luxurious accommodations in the Winelands. That didn't matter much, as we are wine merchants, not travel agents or hotel testers. Thus, we were amazed as Monika welcomed us at the gate, and even before we could retrieve our luggage from the trunk, a bellboy was there to carry our small suitcase to reception. There was no arguing against it. It was now located where the smaller wine cellar used to be, and there we met Johann, the hotel manager—the third genuinely friendly, smiling face welcoming us. Additionally, everything was beautifully done and polished. We briefly considered whether we were appropriately dressed but quickly dismissed the thought; after all, we were in South Africa, where you can find happiness in your favorite clothes even in the most elegant settings.

After politely declining the welcome drink (as we had a meeting with Wikus the winemaker), Johann showed us to our room, and we were utterly speechless. A private little cottage, a small terrace, a plunge pool, top amenities with a marble bathroom including a freestanding tub, and a breathtaking view over the vineyard and the wide valley from every angle, even from the bed. This surpassed all other accommodations we had experienced in the past 20 years at the Cape and reminded us of our youthful days spent enjoying a few days at the Oriental in Bangkok.

Everything that followed was merely a bonus—our meeting and conversation with Wikus, the sundowner in the garden at sunset, and truly delectable dinner in the likewise newly renovated, capacity-reduced restaurant. The path here indicated a transition from quantity to quality. We don't even need to comment on breakfast the next day.

What remained with us was the incredibly friendly and personal service from each staff member, including Rian, the General Manager. One night in a luxury setting with spectacular views from every angle, a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in the vineyard's pool, and a mutual commitment to remain partners for another 10 years.

In addition, La Petite Ferme is undoubtedly a wonderful recommendation for everyone looking to treat themselves to something truly special.

What Makes Franschhoek Wines Exceptional?

The one thing you might not experience in this detail is a comprehensive discussion with Wikus the winemaker. From him, we learned that we might be novices often approaching tastings with entirely misplaced expectations. Our expectation of wines from the summer heat of Franschhoek has always been for a particularly bold, fruit-driven, and full-bodied character. Yet we had never aligned this expectation with Wikus's wines. It was only this time we learned that the soils in Franschhoek were not suited for this type of wine. They are rather barren and promote a slimmer, more elegant style, which is exactly what Wikus aims for with his wines. This thinking reflects the philosophy of all top winemakers: wines should provide the best possible representation of their origin rather than serving as evidence of the winemaker's technical ability.