South Africa's quirkier wineries may be on a roll, with wine festivals in the Swartland and silky reds from the Hemel en Aarde Valley winning prizes. But now the Western Cape's traditional vineyards are fighting back.
Sleepy old Mont Rochelle in Franschhoek, bought by Richard Branson last year, has reopened after a sleek redesign, while Indian billionaire Analjit Singh has snapped up three wine farms to form Dassenberg Estates. Opening this autumn, it will have 20 plush rooms in a restored Cape Dutch manor and cottages, a spa and organic restaurant. The Boschendal vineyard has also been reconfigured for farm stays in the historic Rhodes Cottage and revamped labourers' houses, with a restaurant under Christiaan Campbell, nicked from nearby Delaire Graff Estate. Finally, wine buffs will be glad to know that Klein Constantia also has new owners so its famous Vin de Constance is finally getting the home it deserves, with a refurbished winery and magnificent main house for tastings and riotous parties.
This feature was published in Condé Nast Traveller January 2015