Situated on the R301 in the vineyards between Paarl and Franschhoek, Val de Vie is perhaps best described as the epitome of graceful living. Cape colonial–style architecture, sweeping polo fields and Rhȯne–style vineyards combine to create a romantic estate lifestyle. Val de Vie is well suited to grape varieties that originated in the French Rhone Valley. This ensures fruit of pristine quality for the production of Val de Vie wines. Ten hectares of Rhone varieties have been established alongside existing vines and Val de Vie is proud to boast nine of the 13 AOC permitted Château uneuf–du– Pape varietals presently aging in its cellar. Their first white blend consists of Grenache blanc, Viognier and Clairette blanche and their flagship, the Val de Vie, (consisting mainly of ourverde, as well as Shiraz, Cinsaut, Carignan and Grenache noir) was launched a few months ago.

Val de Vie has already been commended for its efforts, with its Shiraz 2006 winning a gold medal at the ERITAS Wine Awards in 2008, while the 2009 vintage was crowned the National Champion at the Annual South African Young Wine Show. To top off these achievements, their highest award has come in the form of a Double Gold Medal for their 2004 Mourvédre at the 2006 Michelangelo International Wine Awards in 2006. Property owners will benefit from this expertise by enjoying a wine quota and will be able to produce their own “boutique” wines and learn the art of blending from Val de Vie’s resident winemaker, Martin Fourie. Combined with the estate’s wine–making, visitors and residents will soon be able to indulge in luxury cuisine served by the French period decorated manor house restaurant that is due for launch in September this year. For those with an indulgent bent, the Sabarge cigar lounge, with its variety of fine whiskies and aperitifs provides you with the perfect comfort and solitude. Sabarge hosts a number of activities such as music on Wednesday’s while Friday sees a

Mediterranean evening. A poker evening will also be hosted by Sabrage in the near future. To cater for every whim of the fly–fishing purist, Val de Vie sports 1. 8 kilometers of Berg River frontage with fresh flowing mountain water that nourishes the lakes and vineyards, creating an ideal habitat for mammals, fish and birds resident on

the estate. The lakes found on Val de Vie have been purposefully designed for perpetual flow to best utilise the stream water running off the surrounding mountains and no motorised water sport means that the tranquility of the setting is not disturbed. Fitness fanatics are catered for with a fully equipped gym, squash and tennis courts

while neighbouring 18–hole championship golf courses are available. Nature–lovers will no doubt enjoy the natural environment that provides plenty of walking and cycling opportunities as well as numerous secluded horse trails. Val de Vie has also been created with equestrian activities in mind and spacious grounds, landscaped park–like avenues and 10 kilometers of outride trails offer fine opportunities to explore the idyllic, secure Val de Vie on horseback or by foot. Equestrian facilities include stables and several lunging rings where residents can book lessons with on–site trainers. In addition, the estate also offers two luxury Hurlingham nternational Championship Standard of Specifications Polo fields alongside, paddocks, stables, a practice field and a team of experienced staff on–site. Visitors will be able to watch the polo being played over the weekends during summer. Lastly a magnificent Polo Pavilion alongside the fields allows players and spectators to mingle and enjoy an easy lunch or savor victory with an after–match cigar in the stylish Sabarge cigar lounge. Val de Vie also boasts with top luxury venue facilities for weddings, conferences and product launches. Val de Vie is a spectacular setting for special occasions with world class facilities, an experienced events team and a specialized on the day wedding co–ordination service. Expect nothing less than the exceptional.