Luxury Retreats in South Africa's Wine Estates

Completely unexpectedly, we received an invitation from our longtime partner La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek for an overnight stay in one of their Vineyard Suites to celebrate our 10-year partnership anniversary. Grateful for the opportunity, we accepted and took advantage of the chance for a day and a night away without knowing what awaited us.

Luxury Stay in the Vineyard

We knew that La Petite Ferme had undergone extensive renovations after being taken over by new owners, but we were unaware that this quaint farm had evolved into one of the most luxurious accommodations in the Winelands. It didn’t matter too much, though, as we are wine merchants, not travel agents or hotel testers. Thus, we were amazed when Monika welcomed us at the gate, and even before we could get our luggage from the trunk, a bellboy appeared to carry our small suitcase to reception. There was simply no denying it. It was located now where the small wine cellar used to be, and there we were greeted by Johann, the hotel manager, who was already the third genuinely friendly and smiling face to welcome us. Furthermore, everything was so beautiful and polished to perfection. For a brief moment, we wondered if we were dressed appropriately but quickly dismissed the thought—after all, we were in South Africa, where you can be happy in your favorite clothes even in the most elegant places.

After politely declining the welcome drink (we had an appointment with Wikus the winemaker), Johann showed us to our room, and we were utterly speechless. A private cottage, a small terrace, a plunge pool, top-notch features with a marble bathroom including a freestanding tub, and views over the vineyard and the wide valley from everywhere, even from the bed. This surpassed all other accommodations we had experienced in the last 20 years at the Cape and reminded us of our younger years, when we enjoyed 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 the truly delicious dinner in the also recently renovated and significantly downsized restaurant. The path here too clearly indicated a shift from quantity to quality. We won’t even discuss the breakfast the next day.

What stayed with us in the end was the super-friendly and incredibly personal service from each and every staff member, right down to Rian, the General Manager. A night in a luxury capsule with spectacular views from every angle, a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in the vineyard's pool, and a mutual desire to remain partners for another 10 years.

Aside from that, La Petite Ferme is certainly an excellent recommendation for those looking to treat themselves to something special.

What Makes Franschhoek Wines Special?

The only thing you might not experience in such detail is a lengthy conversation with Wikus the winemaker. From him, we learned that we are ultimately novices and often approach tastings with entirely inappropriate expectations. Our expectation of wines from the summer heat of Franschhoek has always been one of a particularly strong, fruit-driven, and full-bodied character. However, we had never reconciled this expectation with Wikus's wines. It was only this time that we discovered that the soils in Franschhoek do not lend themselves well to such wines. They are actually rather sparse and support a much slimmer, more elegant style that Wikus aims for with his wines. This thought process mirrors that of most top winemakers: wines should represent the best possible representation of their homeland rather than a testament to the technical skill of the winemaker.