One night, at the close of summer, I retreated into the luxurious hug of the Paarl Winelands. Where tarred road gives way to gravel and vineyard, and purple shadows dance their way along the slopes of the Drakenstein mountains, the Owners Lodge waits ready with lavish welcome for those lucky enough to enjoy a stay.
Image: Supplied
Completed in early 2026, the elegant guest house occupies a lofty area of the Brookdale Estate, a working wine farm contributing to the extensive hum of the winelands region. Intended for exclusive use only, the villa accommodates up to eight guests for an all-inclusive stay where one enjoys the services of a private chef, butler and housekeeping, the joys of breakfast, lunch and dinner without leaving the house (as well as a beautiful kitchen, and a wide selection of wine and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
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For all the extravagance of the oak and granite architecture on top of the hill in Brookdale, there is a warmth, softness and a pervading sense of hospitality, apparent from the moment you arrive. I left a bright and windless Cape Town that particular afternoon and arrived to a setting slightly further north that exaggerated the extremities of an already beautiful day. General Manager, Yvonne Coetzee, swept us outside immediately, and with drinks in hand and a never-ending vista of indigenous winelands in sight, we got an understanding of not only the offering of the Owners Lodge, but the intention behind the experience.
As the sun set on a world that in an instant seemed so far away, Yvonne emphasised the intimacy and deeply personal elements that distinguish the Owners Lodge. While the accommodation is a picture of luxury, the intention is for guests to feel at home. Though I am yet to own a heated outdoor pool or take a set of tongs to my own custom-built, immaculate multi-grid steel braai, there was indeed a sense of homeliness that coloured the obviously exclusive experience. This owes to the understated, powerful architecture, the absolute serenity of the indigenous surrounds, and the undeniable care from the entire staff, floating quietly but attentively behind the scenes.
Image: Supplied
While one could – and most likely would – never leave the glorious walls of the Owners Lodge itself for a meal, the Bistro restaurant just a few kilometres away is another highlight of Brookdale Estate and a necessary outing during one’s stay. Once we had finished sundowners, we were shuttled down to the restaurant to enjoy a three-course meal prepared by Chef Gary, husband to Yvonne and creator of a menu rooted in quality cuts of meat, fresh fish and produce and evident attention to preparation. Our group of five shared starters, and all ordered different mains and desserts. Each serving was an elegant, personal interpretation of traditional dishes – with quality the focus over obscurity and flamboyance. Paired with the dinner was a list of Brookdale’s lovely wines.
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Morning came with the same stillness that had coloured the first evening, the sun intent on an even greater showing than the day before and the rolling hills buzzing with quiet. We ate breakfast on the same magnificent terrace before making our way back to the world, refreshed by less than 24 hours of a rich tranquillity unique to this regal new guest house hidden in the vineyards.
SUSTAINABILITY AT BROOKDALE
Sustainability shapes every aspect of The Owners’ Lodge. Indigenous gardens support biodiversity with minimal irrigation, while reclaimed stone, oak and timber ground the build in local materials. Operating off the grid, the lodge uses borehole water, recycles runoff and generates solar power, returning surplus energy to the grid as clean, renewable power.
Image: Supplied
BROOKDALE ESTATE (PAARL)
Accommodation Reservations: Tel +27 (0) 87 057 4508
Restaurant and Tasting Room: The Bistro at Brookdale Tel +27 (0) 87 183 3919
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