A lovely house built in 1709 is the centerpiece of this historic wine estate.
Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty
Do you want to make wine? If so, a historic wine estate in the western Cape Winelands is available for sale for 77 million South African rands (some $5.35 million). Located about four miles east of Wellington in the high end of the Bovlei Valley, it is an established winery that has been growing and bottling wines for years.
Extensively planted and equipped with everything that’s needed to make fine wine, the lovely estate is nested into a picturesque mountain valley.
Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty
With vast acreage planted in wine, the estate is centered around a historic Cape Dutch homestead dating to 1709. The 7,319 square foot house has the decorative gables, thatched roofs and whitewashed exteriors characteristic of the style. Surrounded by a deep veranda overlooking the valley, the house also has gourmet BBQ facilities, a swimming pool with comfortable lounging furniture and extensive landscaped gardens.
Inside, there are six bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half baths, a tea lounge with a lovely fireplace, a dining room and a library. Though the house dates to the early 18thcentury, it was renovated and upgraded 10 years ago to become a five-star guest facility.
This may be a working farm, but that does not preclude an elegant interior.
Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty
This is not only a beautifully renovated historic property, this is also a commercial farm whose industry is the cultivation of wine grapes and the processing and production of estate wines. A buyer need not spend time planting grapes or setting up a bottling plant: it is all there.
According to the official vineyard status report, there are currently approximately 86 acres planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz, Malbec, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc. A little more than an acre is planted with citrus trees, another 37 acres are pasture land. Additionally, almost 100 acres are partially cleared for future development.
The estate boasts an enormous 300-ton wine cellar, a large office block, a wine tasting facility and 10 staff cottages. Outbuildings include a workshop, a generator room and an implement shed. Access to the main facilities is controlled and paved.