Pastoral paradise is a cosy cottage getaway on a working fruit farm
There’s a very good reason why the Conradie family have fondly nicknamed Die Kloofhuis the “honeymoon cottage”. Neatly nestled in a picturesque valley on the Conradie farm, Die Kloofhuis only enjoys the first rays of the morning sun once it’s made its way up and over the lush green hilltops that surround the white thatched building. Sleeping late is therefore some- thing of a prerequisite, and an especially welcome one if the goings-on around the working fruit farm Koelfontein make for a busy day of walking, eating and exploring.
Koelfontein is a seventh generation working fruit farm that has been in the Conradie family since 1832. Through their award-winning fresh and dried fruit, as well as their wines, Handri and Noelani Conradie have for many years been sharing a slice of the farm’s magic with the world, but their latest venture into tourism – having recently renovated and beautifully decorated Die Kloofhuis – offers visitors a generous piece of the pie.
Three crackling fireplaces (one outside, one in the kitchen and another in the living room) provide the soundtrack, while fresh flowers, crisp white linen, oversized duvets, a beautiful antique ball and claw bathtub and wooden wardrobes set the scene.
The cottage is entirely self-catering (although being situated in the middle of so many orchards means that fruit, nuts and wine are never far away) and sleeps a maximum of six people (there are two bedrooms with two single beds, and a main bedroom with a double bed).
The only “neighbour” Die Kloofhuis has is a pretty peach orchard, but for visitors wanting to stretch their legs and see what other fruits the farm yields (plus say hello to the sheep, horses and cows), there is a clearly marked route that one can follow.
A route map and more information is available from the farm’s wine-tasting cellar, Die Kelder, and if you happen to be visiting in the winter months, when the Ceres district is really cold, a taste of the farm’s flagship Shiraz or wooded Chardonnay might be a good idea to fortify yourself.
Koelfontein wines are part of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) because about two thirds of the farm extends up into the mountains around the Gydo Pass. These huge tracts of land (which cannot be farmed) are rich in virgin indigenous Fynbos vegetation (including some sections of the rare and threatened Lowland Fynbos).
Not only does this tie in with the BWI’s mandate to preserve the Cape Floral Kingdom (where nearly 95 % of the country’s wine-growing takes place), but it also offers visitors to the farm’s breathtaking hiking opportunities. One such hike which comes highly recommended by the Conradies is the Christie Prins walking trail. It is signposted along the way and starts near the gate, just off the R303.
There’s always something to see and do at Koelfontein, including mountain biking, bird watching or a fascinating tour of the fruit packhouse, but a lot of Die Kloofhuis’s charm lies in the beautiful setting that is probably best admired (with your feet up) from the vantage point of the comfy outdoor couches on the oak-lined stoep.
The hearth fireplace in the middle of the fully-equipped farm kitchen is your next best bet if the weather is too chilly, especially if everyone gets involved with making dinner, savouring the rustic country decor and cosy interiors and using the opportunity to slough off the stress of city living.
For more information on Die Kloofhuis on Koelfontein Farm, phone 023-313-3538 / 071-413-3869 or e-mail kloofhuis@koelfontein.co.za. Visit www.capestay.co.za/diekloofhuis for more information.
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