Old-world charm in a whimsical wonderland
An elegant Sir Herbert Baker-style manor house, hidden up the Devon Valley wine route near Stellenbosch, welcomes you to a forgotten era…
This is a place, like no place in Stellenbosch. A land full of wonder, mystery and exuberance. Where a grand manor house meets a boundless, whimsical playground, imploring you to lose all sense of seriousness. Follow the yellow dirt road, through the hills of the Devon Valley wine region, to Le Jardin.
This is no ordinary home. Beautiful? Yes! Opulent? Absolutely. Tranquil? Totally, so. But, normal? Not at all. And in the most delightful way. The property’s grandiose entrance echoes an ‘open sesame’ as you walk through the dignified doors into a hallway of choice. Do I settle into the comfort of the classics, reclining on immaculate antique sofas and smoker’s armchairs, all resting on signature Persian rugs, enraptured by books and booze cabinets? Or do I escape down the rabbit hole? Lavish and languid, or mad and magical? Why not both? Everything you could possibly dream up and desire, exists in this hideaway, waiting for you to go seek and discover.
Different themes illustrating all of the different rooms, meet and gregariously greet each other, as they seamlessly stitch the owner’s story together.
Over a period of twenty years this creative couple, he Swiss-French, she South African, designed a family never-never land that’s full of love, and full of fun. Courageous colours of mustard, coral, aqua blue, deep purple, terra-cotta, gold, copper and green, canvas the space, bringing the whispers of the old walls to life. In continuing with the running theme of humour, pieces of art by Pieter van der Westhuizen, Andy Warhol and one of the owner’s children, hang side by side with each other. Where Pop meets whatever we fancy. The bright, tropical wallpapers, the abundance of chandeliers, the glossy red AeroBullDog speaker, the superbly comfortable Victorian beds, The Adventures of Tintin-themed rocket room, the ice-cream umbrellas beside the pool, all bring meaning to the sentiments carved into the stools that stand in the leather gin bar – ‘we’re all mad here’, ‘not all who wander are lost’, ‘make your own magic’!
A hop, skip and a jump down the palatial stairs that lead from the voluptuous verandah, onto the kikuyu grass, stands the glass house. A monumental piece of artwork, if you will, this outdoor building, draws you in with her alluring, dreamy light, enticing you to plant yourself amongst the ferns, succulents, and dapples of shade from the tree that’s pierced its way through the glass ceiling above. The long table lends its wooden legs to a gathering of loved ones, all toasting to you, as you say, “I do”, perhaps. There’s no escaping the vision. The leaves and the love are inside and out, all around and about.
A garden of magic and fun…
And then there’s the garden. Backed-up against the surrounding vineyards, the body of the property stretches itself across acres of tiered tranquility. Perfectly manicured lawn lays centre-stage, banked by hydrangeas and endless rows of roses, as it disperses itself off into secret pathways, beneath the towering old oaks and blue gums. A great big playground with a swinging nest, a trampoline, a hideaway house, and a Teepee tent, borders the deck to the dam. You can dive in, paddle around, or zipline across. Or better yet, spectate from the bubbling Jacuzzi above.
As afternoon antics turn to evening, and all the colours begin to blend in with the night, the outdoor fireplaces warm up the ankles for barefoot dancing on the lawn, outside the glass house, that’s all lit up and glowing, ready for a long, long supper at the long, long table.
What we love!
- Vivian, the housekeeper, and her delicious, warm brownies upon arrival.
- Greg, the caretaker, and his devotion to the merriness of your stay. He also makes a mean Gin Fizz.
- The incredibly well-stocked kitchen includes an AGA, as well as an electric oven. A NutriBullet, Kitchen Aid appliances, and good Wonderland Villas wine (from their adjoining estate) that say, ‘Drink Me’.
- The eco-pool: there’s nothing quite like the feeling of swimming in completely natural, non-chlorinated water.
- The secret steam room, spa and gym room, overlooking the dam.
- Open-air movies and pizza nights – straight from the outdoor pizza oven.
- The fig, the avocado and the lemon trees, all bearing fruit beside the herb garden.
- There is no need to leave the property unless it is absolutely necessary. It’s a dream for kids of all ages who will be endlessly fascinated and in their own fantasy world, starting with the carousel.
What you need to know…
- Duchess and Pinocchio, the resident dogs, big and small respectively, are adorable and available for love.
- The property is fully equipped with all things kid-crazy – from games to activities, secluded spots to wild exploring.
- The property is fully equipped with all things grown-up-crazy – from games to activities, secluded spots to wild exploring.
- Stellenbosch town centre is only a 10-minute drive away for stocking up on the necessary.
- The Glass House is an ideal setting for intimate gatherings, in celebration of weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and even a shoot location. It seats between 30 and 40 guests for a candlelit dinner or it may be booked as the perfect natural-light fashion shoot location as it’s sheltered from the elements, or even as an exhibition venue or launch event. Between the Glass House and the pool, a stretch of pristine lawn lends itself to pre-event cocktails.
- The new Glass Chapel seats 24 guests and overlooks the dam – the perfect spot for an intimate wedding ceremony, renewal of vows or even a christening.
- Le Grande Domaine Wine Estate, adjacent to Le Jardin, extends right up into Devon Valley with magnificent 360-degree views. You can request a private wine tasting at Le Jardin, a wonderful introduction to Cape wines. Or pop into Stellenbosch for a Flight (tasting) along with lunch or dinner at their restaurant. Transfers can be arranged from Le Jardin to Le Grande Domaine Enoteca in vibey Church Street. Le Grande Domaine has won double golds on some of its red wines, but their selection of whites is also superb. Celebrating? Try the just-released Méthode Cap Classique. For three years, their signature gnocchi has been on the menu – don’t leave without trying it!
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie
Edited by Michelle Snaddon