Views extend into the glorious Franschoek valley, across the evocative Simonsberg mountains, and on a clear day even Table Mountain comes into focus. It is bliss, wrapped in luxury and dusted with pure decadence.
The majestic estate caters beautifully to lovers of fine living, with 16 Lodges and one private Owner’s Villa. The Superior Lodges have interleading doors for a family of four, with the other luxurious Lodges for couples. Each has a living space, wet bar, private deck and heated pool – everything you could possibly need for a decadent escape in the Winelands.
Two magnificent Presidential Lodges each accommodate four guests, while the Owner’s Villa is a four-bedroom private space that stands apart from the rest and epitomises exclusive luxury. Vineyards cocoon the accommodations and magnificent gardens carpet all the in between spaces. These are no ordinary gardens though, but are designed to bloom throughout the year with over 350 different plants species, most of them indigenous. So here, it always looks like Spring.
While architecture is traditional, stately Cape Dutch, the interiors of the lodges are thoroughly contemporary. Textures and colours are layered and are inspired by the surrounding environment; unique and exquisite art pieces adorn each lodge as a welcome touch from the owner’s private collection.
Delaire is a magnificent jewel in the Cape Winelands, with virtually every aspect of the estate being award winning – from the gardens to the spa and the three bespoke restaurants. Delaire Graff Restaurant specialises in finer-dining cuisine. Guests can dine al fresco with terrace seating under ancient oak trees overlooking vineyards from Simonsberg Peak across the Banghoek Valley.
Inside, guests are surrounded by art from Laurence Graff’s personal collection, leather banquettes curve between a marble fireplace and statement wine bar, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors framing the captivating views. Lorenzo’s Cucina Italiana, open for lunch only and named after the Estate owner Laurence Graff OBE features classic Italian dishes allowing diners to choose from an exquisite array of handmade pasta and dishes which feature fresh herbs and vegetables handpicked each morning from the Estate’s on-site vegetable garden.
Accommodating up to 40 guests, guests can look forward to dining under a dramatic Iroko timber pergola, created to give both scale and a sense of intimacy, surrounded and interwoven with beautifully bold flora and fauna. Hösekindochine is Indo- Asian, is the contemporary award-winning Japanese restaurant where the Head Chef Virgil Kahn constantly looks to the future for culinary innovation, whilst remaining true to the traditions and customs associated with Japanese culture and cuisine. The menu offers à la carte for those who wish to tailor their own dining experience, and Omakase for those who prefer to leave it in the hands of the chef.
Omakase is a traditional Japanese dining concept that means “I leave it up to you”. Simply everything on the estate is created with thought, and executed with purpose. Service is sublime and staff believe that simply nothing is impossible guests.
You wouldn’t expect such luxury to be environmentally conscious, yet it is that too. The estate has its own greenhouse for fresh fruit and vegetables and supports local and sustainable producers. There is a zero waste policy on Delaire, recycling is high priority, grey water and borehole water is used, vineyards are drip irrigated. This makes the experience of visiting Delaire all the more unique, knowing that such a magnificently curated experience is created with conscience and care for the greater good. It’s the full package.