Residing at the foot of the Franschhoek Mountains, overlooking the bon vivant village below, L’Amitié – in all of its grandeur and glory – invites you in to its nouveau Cape Dutch quarters, and implores you to unwind amidst the leafy vines.
Set on eight hectares of rolling vineyards, citrus and fig orchards, an olive grove, a natural dam, old water oaks and pride of India trees, fynbos shrub and manicured yet purely indigenous gardens, this hideaway unveils its alluring character in the roots that hem the house. Having been in search of their dream farm in Africa, the owners’ calls were answered when they first caught sight of the bountiful views of the valley, the vines, and the mountains that seemed to never end.
The old build has been rightfully restored to resonate the old Dutch, with its signature curves and monumental green shutters, poplar wooden beams beneath the refurbished thatch, and original hardwood floors. The four ensuite bedrooms, grand open living and dining space, and art gallery are doused in exuberant colour and rich textures. Signature works from local artists including, Buhle Nkalashe and Xolile Mtakatya, the late lavish upholsterer Mark Baines, and reputable Franschhoek cabinet maker, Stuart Douglas. All married together with antiques, heirlooms and a life-sized bronze sculpture of a donkey called Nelson. A piece that the owner commissioned Angus Taylor to create, based on her love for donkeys. The kitchen, though set off from the main living area, lends itself to the discerning cook who has concession to a colossal gas Smeg stove, Rustenberg black granite countertops, and a long window bench to loaf about on whilst the bourguignon simmers away. As you look out, the late afternoon light catches the tips of the mountain peaks and traverses down the gullies towards the vines, across the formal topiary gardens and into the stalk of the wine glass that’s swivelling in its crimson glow.
What the owners couldn’t have known about, when love struck at first sight, was what happened to L’Amitié when the sun begins to set. An evening symphony ensues, courtesy of the resident Egyptian geese and yellow-billed ducks, as their calls echo across the dam. Time for one last lap in the eternal pool – an obligatory prelude to the bourguignon and bottles of red that’s to come.
What we love!
- Spending hours and hours on the whatever-the-weather verandah. In the sun or in the shade. Watching the sun set and the moon rise. Beside the crackling fire or earning extra wine-tasting points doing laps in the swimming pool.
- The beautiful relationship that the old has with the new throughout the home. Being a relatively new build, the property is as refined as it is charismatic.
- Very few places deliver such breath-taking views across the valley, to the end of the earth, and back.
- Every morning you wake up to the call of jackal buzzards, soaring above the five hectares of vines – all differing in variety from Pinotage to Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
What you need to know…
- The farm is home to many small, wild animals including water mongooses, genets, porcupines, caracals and the Cape fox. Though mostly only roaming at night, it’s important we respect their habitat and leave them to be on their ways.
- Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve and Berg River Dam is a short drive away from the property for excursions that are a little more active and nature bound. Over 30kms of safe and incredibly scenic hiking trails, and rock pools to swim in.
- It’s not only about food and wine it’s also about art, cars, culture, history and health. The Drakenstein Correctional Centre, marked by a bronze statue of Nelson Mandela, is where the former president walked out a free a man after spending 27 years behind bars. The Franschhoek motor museum on the L’Ormarins Estate is a backseat journey through a billionaire’s garage.
- The notoriously voguish village of Franschhoek is overflowing with fabulous eateries including Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse at Maison, La Petite Colombe, Bread & Wine, Foliage and Le Coin Français – which all require prior reservations. There is also an abundance of less fussy, more laid-back restaurants on several reputable wine estates and within the village itself.