OUR BLOG

When looking for birds of prey, you need to venture further than the Estate's perimeter. The Paarl-Franschhoek Valley

The quill-covered creature you may have seen around the Estate is the Cape crested porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis)

Among the many bird species that call the Western Cape home is the small red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea)

The natural world has been around for a very long time. Every living organism is testament to individual survival

The national animal of South Africa, and the namesake of our country’s rugby team, the scientific name for the springbok

For plants, smell is a vital form of communication. Each scent is a combination of complex chemicals

The Cape grey mongoose (Herpestes pulverulentus) is a small mammal indigenous to Southern Africa

The orchid family is possibly, after the daisies, one of the most prolific plant families on Earth with around 30,000 species known

The Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) is the second-largest freshwater otter species and is called the groot otter in Afrikaans

With the heat of summer rising and the lower than expected winter rainfall,l it is important that water

On the second Saturday of the month, Simon Allen, the Val de Vie Estate Environmental Officer, hosts a walk for our residents

While working on the irrigation system, Val de Vie Estate's Irrigation Manager, Kobus van Abbo

South Africa, particularly the Western Cape, has the highest number of Testudines (formerly Chelonia) on Earth.

We are all familiar with the mounds in our gardens or on the Estate caused by moles and mole rats

While orphaned fledglings exist, it is uncommon for bird parents to abandon their young

We are all familiar with the mounds in our gardens or on the Estate caused by moles and mole rats

The Cape Floral Kingdom, an area of immense biodiversity and endemism due to the harsh climate and landscape

Right outside the main entrance to The Yard, the potted Eugenia ‘lollipop’ trees look structured and a tad uninteresting

Much to the delight of Simon Allen, our Environmental Officer, 76 Cape dwarf chameleons were discovered next to the Bergriver

Anzél in die Boland, kykNet se gewilde leefstyl-wynreeks aangebied deur Anzél Rabie, keer op 21 April terug

Luxury lifestyle and wellness estate Val de Vie Estate and wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth have teamed up

Chef Edmore shares his favourite side dish that he guarantees to satisfy and impress all your dinner guests

Nothing comes close to a classic free-range T-bone steak with a decadent bearnaise sauce and a butternut side salad. Chef Kyle shares his secret to perfecting this traditional dish to impress and delight your dinner guests

Put a tangy twist on this peach and beetroot salad, with a whipped feta cream base, topped with roasted basil and nuts. This salad is a quick and easy starter that is sure to be a fan favourite for all your guests!