La Residence – Franschhoek
Set against a backdrop of orchards, vineyards and mountain peaks, the little town of Franschhoek (‘French Corner’) is arguably the prettiest of the Cape Winelands regions. The appearance and atmosphere are that of Provence, and the mood is further reflected by elegant wine estates such as Le Petite Ferme, Chamonix and Mont Rochelle – their names a testament to the early French Huguenot influence in the area.

It’s here, in the heart of the tranquil Franschhoek Valley, that you’ll find La Residence, a place that does nothing in half measures. Positioned in a palatial haven of exquisite natural beauty, it is a property filled with bold colour and plush fabrics, statement antiques and enormous Persian rugs – not for those who prefer monastic restraint – setting the benchmark for luxury in South Africa’s wine country.

After enjoying the stunning views from your luxury suite, let your evening unfold over a wine tasting curated with serious intent by Wayve Kolevsohn, vice chair of the South African Sommeliers Association, inviting guests to explore Franschhoek’s range without leaving the estate. It is indulgent, certainly — but in a valley dedicated to pleasure, entirely fitting.

Babylonstoren – Paarl
Few Cape estates capture the romance of farm life quite like Babylonstoren. Founded in 1692 and reimagined with meticulous care, the property centres around an eight-acre formal garden inspired by historic European kitchen gardens. Paths weave through citrus groves, vegetable beds and fragrant herbs, all feeding kitchens that operate with elegant simplicity.

Found in the Paarl region, this area is known for confident reds — Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage among them — and Babylonstoren’s cellar programme celebrates this heritage with modern polish. A sundowner drive into the Simonsberg hills reveals the farm’s full scale: vineyards fading into mountains, the air scented with fynbos and warm earth.

Accommodation sits within restored Cape Dutch cottages, built on the footprints of the original labourers’ cottages, their clean lines softened by contemporary glass additions that frame the landscape.

Benguela Cove – Hermanus
If you are a slave to the delights of the sea, then Benguela Cove might be the stay for you. The Hemel-en-Aarde valley trades vineyard drama for coastal light, where ocean breezes moderate the climate, lending freshness and precision to wines that feel distinctly maritime. It remains one of the Cape’s quieter success stories.

“Somewhere like Hermanus can still be so underrated,” says Jean. “There are a couple of farms that have made it big globally, but there are farms just next door that haven’t got that acclaim, but are doing wine that is just as good or even better.”

Benguela Cove reflects that understated confidence. Found on the Hermanus coastline, spacious villas overlook the Botrivier Lagoon and neighbouring vineyards, offering privacy alongside a cellar known for elegant, cool-climate expressions. Days drift between tastings, coastal walks and seasonal whale watching, Hermanus being one of the world’s finest land-based vantage points. It is wine country with salt in the air.