If your wish is for a share in the best of both worlds, of a sound investment that matures rather like a good vintage, take a look south to the vineyards of the Cape. Where daily living encompasses all things viticulture, peace of mind, and beauty.
A variety of options await, such as buyers owning and living a wine farm without the hassle of managing their own vineyards, now an increasingly popular trend in wine producing regions of South America and Mediterranean countries. And for a growing numbers of well heeled property buyers from upcountry and abroad, the notion of becoming farm residents at any number of private wine estates is synonymous with rejuvenation and personal progress. Demand is seen for homes in lifestyle estates where property owners are allowed to lend a helping hand in the wine production process.
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For Sale: A picturesque farm in Franschhoek.For mpore info visit: https://www.privateproperty.co.za/park-lane-franschhoek-s484653.htm
Others, as part of their property purchases agree to the payment of monthly levies that also make provision for a share in the crops, also allowing participation in the annual harvest festivities of estates. Most of all, say residents and property professionals, is the unquantifiable value of this lifestyle commodity, known to cultivate a sense of social connectedness among farming communities.
And this is possible, in more than only the better known, historic wine regions of the Boland and the Constantia Valleys, where for centuries the wine making fraternity shared their estates, and kept domestic company with family and labourers. In more recent times, as a result of growing demand for secure countrified lifestyles, development of private wine estates elsewhere in the province is seen, catering for a discerning clientele with different needs, at varying entry levels.
One example on the long list of private residential wine estates in the Boland areas such Wellington, Stellenbosch, and Paarl and Franschhoek, is La Petite Provence, of Olifantshoek wine label fame. Real estate principal and owner of Franschhoek Property, Anita Wessels says buyers can acquire a home for around R2.5-million on this 36 hectare wine estate that dates back to the 17th Century French Huguenot settlers. She says: “Increasingly, residents from upcountry are looking to re-locate to the security of the private wine estates in Franschhoek, where they can enjoy farm living while sharing in the wine production process.” She says this lifestyle provides interaction between owners and labourers, where skills such as the pruning of vines, or picking of grapes bring new meaning to taking delivery of private allotments paid for from monthly levies.
Wine estate living also extends to opposite ends of the spectrum, as can be found at the award winning Cape Point Vineyards, overlooking Chapmans Peak in Noordhoek, en route to the Cape Point Reserve. A total number of 28 strategically placed plots ranging in measurements from 4,000m2 to 7,000m2, are currently on the market here from R6-million.
In addition is the unique coastal setting of Benguela Cove Coastal Wine Estate, where a favourable terroir provides the Walker Bay label, as well as views across the Palmiet mountain and 5km of Botriver lagoon frontage, where buck roam free. This 210 hectare estate, stretching across lavender fields and olive groves, is where the residential options of the Benguela Cove Concept offers a total of 123 residential opportunities, measuring from 1 600 to 3900m2.
