In the Paarl winelands of the Western Cape, Brookdale Estate was once 67 hectares of overgrown and forgotten vines with a potential of what could be. This new chapter arrived in 2015 when The Rudd family from Britain scooped the country estate into their hands. Their vision? To revitalise Brookdale into a world-class destination, championing exceptional hospitality with fine wines.
At the heart of the Brookdale estate is the elegant Manor House. Winning best accommodation in the Wine Tourism Awards last year and built in timeless modern Cape Dutch style, check into a place which is both intimate and exclusive. A sophitiscated retreat for discerning guests and wine lovers, the house welcomes up to 12 adults and two children under 12 for exclusive use bookings.
At the heart of the Brookdale estate is the elegant Manor House
Stepping into the grand entrance framed by an impressive staircase and gallery that wraps above, Brookdale enjoys being a relatively new building, whilst echoing the elegant Cape Dutch style architecture of the region. This offers an opulent but comfortable environment that encourages guests to make the place their own.
Carefully chosen canvases of art add character to the walls throughout a collection of sophisticated spaces filled with smart sofas and antiques. The shared main rooms span across a lavish living room, private study, graceful library plus an entertainment room, dining room, and light and airy breakfast room. Meanwhile, adding to the home away from home feeling is the open kitchen where the talented chefs prepare remarkable meals for their guests.
The old vine Chenin Blanc is a perfect example of Paarl’s perfect wine-producing terroir
Showcasing the vista of the vines that surround the Manor House, outside multiple terraces offer a true sense of place, uniting the Klein Drakenstein mountains with the picturesque valley. Outside with the well-kept garden, is the perfect pool which is paired alongside a thatched pool house that opens out via French doors. Here we discovered was the perfect place to while away the afternoons enjoying wine grown from the grapes that surrounded us.
The full Brookdale Estate experience isn’t without a visit to the popular bistro and tasting room situated on the other side of the estate. Either a quick walk or drive which meanders back through the vineyards; the Bistro at Brookdale Estate is open for lunch reservations between Tuesday and Sundays, with dinner served between Wednesday and Saturday. A marriage of wine and great food, Brookdale’s Bistro has firmly marked its place onto my list of recommendations for local friends to visit.
An excellent menu combines food that is fresh and wholesome whilst and isn’t afraid of flavour
The Bistro and Tasting Room is the prime place to sample the estates’ terroir-driven vintages crafted using evolving styles, paired with soulful dishes that are fresh and filled with flavour. A selection of international favourites with a South African twist, executive chef Gary Coetzee designed the menu to cater to a variety of palates. Describing his culinary creations as ‘chic bistro’, he has been a pillar of establishing one of the region’s most popular dining destinations, championing a conscious balance of choice for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.
The Rudd family’s vision is built upon producing world-class wines that honour the heritage of South Africa’s winemakers, whilst crafting their modern blends to shake up the region’s modern-day wine-making community. Bravely blending old-world styles new-world methods and techniques, the family and the team at Brookdale have worked hard to salvage the vines that were discovered when they took over the estate in 2015.
The Bistro and Tasting Room frames the well-kept vines from a smart and contemporary dining space across an indoor room and terrace
This notably included saving a block of certified old vine Chenin Blanc from 1985 which has since become Brookdale’s maiden release in 2017 and estate’s flagship. The old vine Chenin Blanc is a perfect example of Paarl’s perfect wine-producing terroir that provides complexity and balance and has quickly achieved award-winning status. Across the remainder of the land, new vineyards were established, and today, 24 hectares are under vine at Brookdale.
Settled in a tranquil valley amidst Paarl’s unique terroir, Brookdale Estate is a special place that celebrates the past whilst embracing the future. Pioneering unusual winemaking techniques are brought together under the visionary hand of Tim Rudd and the talented winemaking team; the estate has been brought back to life since being rescued, replanted and replenished as it thrives in a beautiful new chapter.
Factbox
Address: Hawequa Bos Pad, Klein Drakenstein Rd, Paarl, 7646, South Africa
Phone: +27 87 057 4508
Website: brookdale-estate.com
All imagery credit: Brookdale Estate