As avid wine lovers we were delighted to recently be able to visit the brand new Le Héritage located in the Boland region of the winelands just outside Paarl. And here are just five of the things we absolutely loved about this unique spot:
We got to stay in a real wine vat
From igloos, to treetop tents, we’ve been privileged enough to stay in some unique accommodation around the world. But never before have we actually stayed in a real wine vat. Our room at Le Héritage was certainly a first for us, and may be a first for the world, set as it is in an actual concrete wine tank that dates all the way back to 1821. The unique use of this building is clearly evidenced on the walls which show the 25+ years of tartaric acid build from when the structure once was used to ferment the grapes.
A little bit of luxury
From working wine cellar, to luxurious accommodations, the two suites at Le Héritage are kitted out with everything you could want for a winelands getaway. We chose to stay in the Porto Blanc room, with the décor reminiscent of a cool glass of chardonnay thanks to its lavish tones of blue and green while next door the Porto Rogue room was decorated in the mustard, reds and burnt orange tones you might find in a glass of Pinot Noir. Each suite was completely kitted with a full kitchen, loungers, smart TV, and WiFi.
A place to get outdoors
From the private outdoor braai area to the lavish led-lit pool, Le Héritage beckons for days spent outdoors. Here we were invited to pull out a lounger and simply enjoy watching the squirrels play amongst the trees, read a book under the moody skies, or get out and active exploring the plum and guava orchards with a walk or a cycle. Slow paced, relaxed living at its best while appreciating the serene beauty of one of the Cape’s most picturesque regions.
Plenty of things to do nearby
When we were ready to tear ourselves away from our little piece of paradise at Le Héritage the vast Paarl wine route and even the nearby surrounds of Klapmunts, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek beckoned. From wine, chocolate and beer tasting at the Spice Route, to unique alpaca tours and farm-yard feedings at the Alpaca Loom, to cheese tasting at Fairview, garden exploring at Babylonstoren, cheetah tours at the next-door Ashia cheetah sanctuary and gourmet feasting at Nederburg or Rhebokskloof, the area surrounding our accommodation presented a myriad of activities to keep us entertained.
A cosy home away from home
However, above all, what we really loved about our stay at Le Héritage was the cosy home-away-from-home feeling we got here. All of our pre-trip questions were lovingly answered by the owner herself and we really got the impression while staying here that we were visiting a much-loved family farm. We even found a delicious organic picnic box for breakfast waiting in our fridge on our arrival, including a smattering of goodies sourced from the farm and the surrounding area, adding a delicious personal touch!
And while the owners have big ambitions to turn the cellar into a boutique hotel within the next five years, we have no doubt that it is their love for their property and their guests that will make this a success. In their words, “We believe that every generation on the farm should improve something that they will leave behind for the next generation. This is the legacy that we are leaving our children.”