ABOUT VAL DE VIE ESTATE
DESTINATION
Surrounded by three awe-inspiring mountain ranges, Val de Vie Estate falls within the verdant Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, where historic farms and the natural splendour of the Cape Floral Kingdom beckon visitors from across the globe. Residents and visitors to the region regularly enjoy Franschhoek’s charming European ambience, art, music and exquisite culinary experiences which have placed the area on the map as the fine food capital of South Africa.
AREA & SHOPPING
A Deli stocking fresh artisanal produce is located on the estate next to Fleet coffee roastery and in close proximity to the L’Huguenot wine cellar. Nearby shops include Paarl Mall, only 6km from the entrance gate, as well as Laborie Shopping Centre in Paarl Main Road. Franschhoek’s streets are lined with boutiques and other quaint stores. Larger shopping malls such as Tygervalley Mall is 39km away, and Canal Walk and the V & A Waterfront located respectively 52km and 61km from the estate.
Mediclinic Paarl and Paarl Provincial Hospital are both less than 10 minutes away from the main entrance of the estate.
There are very few places in the world with such a variety of quality lifestyle offerings within a 90-minute drive. Whale watching in Hermanus or a road trip to the undiscovered treasure trove of the Westcoast are within easy reach.
TRAVEL
Val de Vie Estate’s proximity to Cape Town International Airport and to Cape Town, both less than 40 minutes away, makes it a convenient point from which some of South Africa’s finest offerings.
- 35 minutes from Cape Town CBD via the Berg River bridge
- 35 minutes from Cape Town International Airport via the Berg River bridge
- 15 minutes from Stellenbosch via the Berg River bridge
- 15 minutes from Franschhoek via the R301 entrance
- 8 minutes from Paarl via the R301 entrance
How to Find Us
R301, Wemmershoek Road (Exit 59, N1 north towards Paarl)
GPS: -33.818212°, 19.000358°
ACCOMMODATION
The Pearl Valley Hotel by Mantis is a luxury establishment situated on Pearl Valley, forming part of the award-winning Val de Vie Estate which is internationally recognized for its polo facilities and other world-class amenities. Set in the picturesque Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, the Pearl Valley Hotel by Mantis is an approximate 35-minute drive from both Cape Town and Cape Town International Airport. The hotel is located only a short drive away from many of South Africa’s most renowned wine estates and restaurants.
FOOD
In the Cape Winelands, there is wine in abundance, and there’s also mild Mediterranean-type weather, beautiful scenery, and a plethora of sumptuous hotels and lodges, some on magnificent wine estates where fine wines are produced and the sensuous pleasures of good living liberally uncorked.
Taking these unique qualities into account visitors will be further enlightened to all that this area has to offer with a leisurely journey along the Franschhoek Wine Valley Food & Wine Route. This exciting initiative builds on Franschhoek’s reputation as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, taking the concept of a food and wine experience to an entirely new level. Offering visitors an array of innovative food, wine and lifestyle experiences is truly unique to the Cape Winelands.
WINE
Val de Vie Estate is synonymous with the bountiful offering that is brought forth by the picturesque Paarl-Franschhoek Valley. This magnificent region – or The Valley of Life as we call it is surrounded by many wine farms sharing a French Huguenot heritage and influence.
The Paarl Wine Route, renowned for its rich, full-bodied, spicy red and crisp white wines, is the second oldest in the country. The area is best known for the quality of its Shiraz, the climate in particular favouring this variety. Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Viognier and Mourvedre are increasingly well regarded.
Paarl is also home to a couple of craft breweries, olives and olive oil producers.
Franschhoek Wine Route is known for superb whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc, to the full-bodied reds of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Franschhoek district produces some of the country’s extraordinary Méthode Cap Classiques, which can all be enjoyed during a trip along the Franschhoek MCC Route.
WINELANDS MAP
Click on the icon below to view the wine farms surrounding Val de Vie Estate.
FALL IN LOVE WITH THE PAARL-FRANSCHHOEK VALLEY
AND DISCOVER A LIFE WORTH LIVING.
GOLF
As the name implies, our Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course truly bears the stamp of the world’s preeminent golf course designer. South Africa’s Top 100 Golf Courses, the definitive golf course ranking, placed the Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course as the third-best in the country for 2022.
For six consecutive years, Complete Golfer bestowed the Five Star Experience Award on the course.
HIKING & CYCLING THE CAPE WINELANDS
The Cape Winelands offers lush valleys framed by rugged mountain ranges. This provides a myriad of adventures available for the professional or novice hiker and cyclist. The valley floors offer relaxed walks among the vineyards while the mountain slopes and crests offer a more challenging series of hikes and single track through the Winelands indigenous Fynbos vegetation.
The local nature reserves are home to numerous trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Trials can range from one or two hour walks, to three days mammoth excursions through valleys and over mountain passes.
Some of the local nature reserves is Limietberg, Paarl Mountain, The Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve and The Kogelberg Nature Reserve including The Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area.
ART
Within both Stellenbosch and Paarl- Franschhoek Valley is a collection of fine art galleries, which make ideal stops while exploring the region.
It’s a completely natural fit, the blending of meticulously curated art with the Cape’s picturesque winelands. Be it perfectly sculpted pieces that add character to landscaped lawns, galleries that showcase the best of the country’s classical artists or space where contemporary art meets African fusion.
Some of the top art galleries to visit in the Cape Winelands to enjoy a day or an afternoon pursuing spectacular works of art is Everard Read, Is Art Gallery and Pierneef Gallery at La Motte, The Rupert Museum all in close proximity to Franschhoek.
Image: The Gallery at Val de Vie Estate – For more information
POLO
Surrounded by the mountains and vineyards of the famous Paarl-Franschhoek valley, Val de Vie Estate is one of the most spectacular polo venues in the world. Our passion for the sport has transformed the estate into an unrivalled polo destination.
The Veuve Clicquot Polo Series, Pink Polo and ISPS Handa are some of the international polo events that are hosted on our estate, and is a luxurious introduction to the sport of kings.
SCHOOLS
Val de Vie Estate is a paradise for young families offering safety and security while being in close vicinity to some of the top schools in the country. We know that one of the greatest gifts you can give your child is an excellent education and an opportunity to excel in life.
READ MORE > Top Schools
