PHI Breede Valley Farm

BREEDE VALLEY FARM

BREEDE RIVER VALLEY, WESTERN CAPE

Farm house paradise!

Views and more views. In every direction is pure beauty. Literally 360 degrees of Breede River Valley magnificence surrounds the main historic homestead. Waking up in the morning in a nostalgic heritage home – which is also a national monument dated to the 1750s – and knowing it’s one of the oldest houses in the valley is priceless. An original Cape home, with beautiful interior space and under cool thatch, it embodies old world charm with all the modern comforts of today – like under floor heating.

BREEDE VALLEY FARM

Eensgevonden Farm, Rawsonville

From any room in the house, views are serene and majestic, of expansive, flourishing vineyards encircled by protective rugged mountains. This is daily life in the Breede River Valley, one of the largest wine producing areas in South Africa. But put that all aside, and imagine stepping outside onto the front verandah and enjoying your morning coffee under the old oak tree. Or maybe you prefer the back pergola courtyard under a tangled vine. Since the building faces north, climate control throughout the year is optimal. Listen to the day start up, the birdsong – there are 97 species here – maybe a tractor rumbling in the distance, the lilt of voices as farm workers filter into the vineyards. It’s a magical and coveted way of life.

The farmstead is classic Old Cape design and there are still original hand-cut, solid yellowwood beams and brand solder in some of the rooms. Built in the classic T shape, the home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and various living spaces including the traditional ‘Voorkamer’. The dining room, which was originally the kitchen, has a classic hearth too. Wrapped around the homestead is the low, white, ‘werf’ wall, giving a sense of cosiness and place at the heart of the farm.

There’s plenty more though, with three fully-furnished guest cottages set in wild gardens. They’re a hit with weekenders wanting to escape to serenity and beauty. It’s a glorious space to walk, hike, bike and breathe here with waterfalls, rock pools and trails to explore. Oh, and there is also approval for another three mountain cottages in the more rugged reaches.

Plus, there are also four quaint staff houses, also built in the classic Cape style, as this is a working wine farm after all. The vines are all drip irrigated and there’s is a small olive orchard too for interest. All the usual farm buildings, garages, tool shed and stores are here too, replete with two tractors and all that’s necessary to keep this established wine farm going seamlessly.

Importantly, there’s a river running through the property and the farm has full rights to this free-flowing mountain water – and there are three boreholes and two reservoirs too. No surprise that vines thrive here, and there are over 50 cellars within a 20km radius of the farm. The neighbourhood is not short on great wines.

To stretch your legs, there’re 400 hectares of mountain magic, just a 10-minute walk from home. Swim in a secluded, rock pool in summer. Take your binoculars and birdwatch or do a 4×4 route on the mountain. In winter, marvel at the surrounding snow-capped mountains before the green summer season returns. This valley is ever changing, always beautiful, eternally enchanting. It will easily be ‘home’.

Specs

•Farm size: 54 ha

•Private Nature Reserve: 402 ha

•Vineyards: 6.2 ha

•Olive orchard: 0.25 ha

•Waterfalls and mountain rock pool

•Main house: 260m2

3 bedrooms

2 bathrooms

Voorkamer, lounge, diningroom, kitchen

• 3 Guest cottages: 2 with 2 bedrooms (approx 68m2 each), 1 with 1 bedroom (68m2)

• 4 Staff houses: 30m2 each

• Tractor garage, general and tool stores

• All water sources are registered

• 2 reservoirs, 2 boreholes

• Gravity irrigation

• Sale includes tractors, specific farm equipment and most cottage furniture