By Contributor Heather Stewart-Whyte
Part of the New Wave South Africa wine movement, the estate has already produced its first 2017 Chenin Blanc vintage and there are high hopes for its unique blends, including a 16-varietal white field blend, and a sweep of reds, notably Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache.
Based on historic drawings of the original 18th century farmhouse, the magnificent five-bedroom homestead has been built in the traditional Cape Dutch style and forms a traditional H-shape, which lends itself remarkably well to modern living with the front section flanked by two generous wings, allowing the breeze to circulate freely. There are five spacious bedrooms with luxury ensuite bathrooms and spectacular views. There is no such thing here as second best. “It just depends on which view you prefer,” says Rudd. The vineyards run as seamlessly as possible up to and around the house, so that when you look outside, you see a “garden of rooms” – which is the brief he gave Cape Town-based landscape designer Franchesca Watson, who created the spectacular gardens.
You can read undisturbed in the tranquil library/study, relax in the two stylish sitting rooms and dine in either the formal dining room or alfresco under the pool-side gazebo before a nightcap on one of the terraces. Resident chef, Sue-Ann Allen, a former South Africa Masterchef runner-up, will treat you to her delicious “refined” home-cooking that will have you returning for seconds – her carrot cake is off-the-scale moreish!
Menus include a typical South African braai, featuring wagyu beef marinated in rosemary and thyme, so tender you could cut it with a spoon; a “simple” lunch consisting of deboned roast chicken and nectarine and pecan salad, and a five-course formal dinner, which includes a granita made with Chenin Blanc juice pressed by Rudd himself. One of the highlights is an early morning guided walk around the property followed by a sumptuous breakfast ‘Out of Africa’ style in a grassy glade.
As part of the estate’s conservation programme, most of the land has been left to revert to its natural habitat with 3600 indigenous trees replanted in the valleys and wild Cape fynbos and flowers re-seeded on the slopes. Bird and animal life are equally abundant.
If you wish to explore further afield, South Africa’s third oldest city, Paarl, is only eight kilometres away, and the historic town of Franschhoek, known as the country’s food and wine capital, is also nearby - stop off at certified organic and bio-dynamic vineyard Avondale (www.avondalewine.co.za) for an eco-wine safari and lunch at its farm-to-fork restaurant FABER. For animal-lovers, the Ashia cheetah sanctuary (www.ashia.co.za) is a must-visit and for sporting types, head to the Pearl Valley Golf Estate at Val de Vie for either a round of golf or to watch the polo.
Brookdale Estate must be taken exclusively and costs R90,000 (GBP £4,640) per night, sleeping ten. The price is year-round and includes accommodation, all meals and drinks, all activities offered on the estate, wine tasting, private chef and butler, accommodation for executive staff or nanny, complimentary wifi and daily housekeeping.