Franschhoek’s garden of eden
Oakvale Estate is as an extraordinary winelands escape, ensconced in pure countryside beauty and inimitable luxury, settled within the Franschhoek valley.
There are those postcards that rest in our minds, with the words dancing across a blank space. An image, perfectly depicting the place and the lines doing their best to describe it. “We’ve discovered paradise!”, is inscribed on the postcard being sent from Oakvale Estate. “There’s nowhere on earth, quite like it. Wish you were here. Sending lots of love from Africa.” Of course there is so much more to add to the message, but there’s quite simply not enough space. Nor enough time, as this pocket of paradise in the Franschhoek wine valley awaits our exploration.
And explore we shall do. Its 20 hectares of the verdant winelands estate comprises of the Gable Villa and the Vineyard Villa – of which both can be either exclusively or individually rented to accommodate your multigenerational family getaway, or just a few of your favourites. Rolling vineyards, farm paddocks and stables. A maze, an ancient olive grove, vegetable and herb gardens, and a chapel. A few dams with their dining decks, some rivers for bank-side picnics, heated natural swimming pools and hot tubs. A Padel, basketball and boule court. A spa, pilates and yoga studio, and a gym. A golf putting green and an inspiring art gallery exhibiting the owner’s collection of local and international art. An outdoor cinema area and a boundless playground for those that love to get lost in the landscape. All resting at the foot of the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountains, with Jonhoershoek Nature Reserve on your doorstep.
Gable Villa opens its large glass doors out into the beautiful paddocks, allowing the mountain air to engulf all of the interior spaces. Beautifully built by the esteemed architect, Stephen Mayers, the living, dining and entertaining areas gracefully merge with one another. Two expansive ensuite bedrooms open out onto a deck with a Kol Kol hot tub and a pool facing aspect, with the upstairs loft escorting you out with magnificent views of the mountains. Accommodating as many as 10 of your favourite people (2 of which being infants), with 4 adults downstairs and 4 older kids or close friends on the single beds upstairs, you’ll be at your leisure to recline in all of the luxurious spaces, dipping in and out of the activities as you so choose.
Vineyard Villa incites more of a romantic element to the homestead, with its two beautiful ensuite bedrooms that open out onto the verandah. Overlooking the vineyards that unravel as far as the eye can grasp. Perfect for two couples, possibly travelling with two small children for those on a family getaway. The Villa lends itself as its own secluded haven on the estate, or can be the ideal appendage to the Gable Villa. Where you and the whole clan can gather on one magnificent winelands estate. Lapping up the tranquility of the land. Savouring the views, the activities, the service and the remarkable food.
Lavish farm living
Your days in paradise will begin around the warm natural swimming pool. Cup of coffee in hand and toes in the water. Following an indulgent breakfast feasting, prepared by Oakvale’s resident chef, you’ll meander around the estate, diving into your chosen activity of the hour. Some might like a spa treatment or a decent gym session. Others might prefer to take a gentle stroll through the maze and though the vineyards. Plenty of swimming and cycling and riding and court playing. Perhaps a wine safari in one of the estate’s fleet of luxury vehicles. Chauffeured for your comfort. Plenty of boardgames, quad bikes and even some golf carts for those that aren’t up for the walk. Farm animal fun, witnessing the odd sheep sneaking out of its paddock, heading for a dip in the dam, whilst the donkeys hee-haw in disapproval. Outdoor cinema viewing, snacking and sipping from different tranquil spots around the grounds. Everything catered for and tended to, around the clock. That postcard from paradise has turned into a novel and you’re only on day one. Best we book ourselves into Oakvale Estate for a fortnight. Just so that we have the opportunity to sample every little slice of this haven, and harness it in our memory banks until we return. You’re all coming with us next time.
What we love!
- Spending time on the deck beside the chapel. Listening to the birds and admiring the beautiful views of the landscape. A delightfully tranquil spot to savour the South African sunshine.
- The villas are beautifully appointed with refined furnishings and statement pieces of art. Layered in comfort and luxury appliances. Though most of your meals are catered for, you are at liberty to cook up a culinary storm whenever you fancy. You are in the winelands after all, and there’s nothing better than holiday feasting.
- Enjoying a dinner around the boma on the river deck. With a little rowing boat on the water and swans swimming around, adding to the romance. A very special experience for the whole clan.
- Going on guided drives in the luxury vehicles. Not only for some decadent wine tasting, but to discover new parts of the terrain and learn about the region’s history. A wonderful excursion to weave into one of your days on the estate.
- Witnessing all of the action on the farm as the animals go about their ways in their happy natural habitats. Five miniature horses and two mini donkeys strutting along the tracks. The horses and the sheep. And of course the magnificent birdlife. All adding their essence to the authentic farm life that unfolds on the estate’s grounds.
What you need to know…
- The property is less than a 20-minute drive from the main street of Franschhoek. A swift cruise to the beautiful gardens of Babylonstoren and its delightful restaurant Babel. Boschendal wine estate is only a 15-minute drive away for some lovely market excursions or picnics beneath the ancient oak trees.
- Every experience at Oakvale Estate is tailored to your needs. Your menus and your unique palates. Your transfers to and from the estate. Butler services and concierge assistance. Ensuring all of your holiday wish lists are ticked in golden ink.
- Gable Villa and Vineyard Villa both rest on the estate, completely secluded from the other dwellings, but equally within close distance to one another. Making this the ideal destination for large gatherings when you would like your own, independent accommodation, adjacent one another. Note that you have exclusive use of the farm whether you rent one or both villas.
- Adding to the luxury of the villas, there is daily housekeeping and two meals (breakfast and lunch or breakfast and dinner) included in your stay, to ensure your experience is as sumptuous as it should be! Some days you might like to venture out for lunch and return for dinner and others you might light to swap the plans around.
- Franschhoek is 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 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 village of Franschhoek is overflowing with fabulous eateries – Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse at Maison, La Petite Colombe, Bread & Wine, and Le Coin Français. There are also plenty of less fussy, more laid-back restaurants on several reputable wine estates and within the village itself.
- If Oakvale Estate is not available on your dates, browse our full collection of exclusive-use holiday houses in Franschhoek.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie