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News
Opulent Farmhouse in De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate, Stellenbosch
Maryn Scholtz, former top-achieving sales agent with Seeff Strand, recently bought the Seeff Stellenbosch Licenseeship with her husband Dawie. She says that she sees a trend emerging in Stellenbosch of late, with many folk choosing to move out of Stellenbosch town and into one of the local security estates. “People want stringent safety and security – but also privacy and beautiful, tranquil surroundings – all of which they can have, for example in De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate, which is the upmarket security estate in Stellenbosch, with its famous brand mall opposite. Here there are well spaced, different clusters of homes, with brick roads, glorious landscaping, lavender, ponds and greenery as far as the eye can see.”
On the southern boundary of the municipality of Stellenbosch neighbouring the Spier Estate is a 100 hectare tract of land made up of three wine farms, Kleine Zalze, Die Vleie and Grootte Zalze, on which the golf estate was developed. It is a short drive from the centre of Stellenbosch, across the Blaauwklippen River, overlooked by the Helderberg and Stellenbosch Mountains. All houses are surrounded by rolling vineyards, orange groves and lavender fields. It is one of the signature golf courses in South Africa designed by the well-known Peter Matkovich, and rated no. 4 in the Western Cape and no. 24 in the country. The entire estate is at the disposal of the inhabitants to walk and hike through rose gardens and by the river- and lakeside. Those who are energetic can go on long walks across the golf course and be inspired by the majestic scenery and prolific birdlife.
In this tranquil atmosphere residents enjoy complete peace of mind as there are roaming guards, electrified perimeter fencing with two access gates protected by a 24-hour security presence. Part of the estate is Kleine Zalze, an independent, family-owned producer of excellent wines, which offers tastings on a daily basis. Kleine Zalze Restaurant next to the wine cellar has received world acclaim for its cuisine.
Living on the estate offers separate pockets of houses, each with their own form of exclusivity. It is a unique concept creating small residential villages among smallholdings, greens, and working farms achieving, a synergy between nature, quality of life, agriculture and human structures. Some of the houses are in an elevated position with exclusive water frontage on dams and the Blaauwklippen River, with views over the golf course, vineyards and mountains.
Seeff Stellenbosch is currently marketing one of the most exclusive homes in De Zalze, set on Blaauwklippen River’s edge, and described by Maryn Scholtz as “the largest house I have ever been inside”. Priced at R17.175m, this double-storey thatched homestead is almost 1000 m2 in extent, with 7 extensive bedrooms, all en suite. It is set in a tranquil garden amid century-old oak trees leading down to the water’s edge. Says Seeff Stellenbosch agent Sophia Malan: “Here you can enjoy swimming in your pool or stretch out on a comfortable lounger, overlooking vineyards and glimpses of the surrounding mountains, as if at your own private spa! Tucked away in a cul de sac, it is so private that you would not know you were on a lifestyle estate.”
The double-door entrance brings you into huge, quarry-tiled entrance area with fireplace which leads into the outside entertainment area. Open-plan, all of the downstairs living areas open onto the front verandah, pool and garden. The lounge has five sets of double doors leading off it to the outside. Private decks and balconies abound, upstairs and downstairs. There is a grand kitchen (separate scullery and pantry) to suit the lavish entertainment areas – and a games and playroom for the children (or grown ups). One of the children’s bedrooms has a special ‘small people’s’ bathroom and shower. The main suite is extensive, with very large bath, shower and his and hers basins. The staff accommodation has its own courtyard and water feature. There are four garages and a golf cart garage.
Malan says: “This is a typical Cape farmhouse, with thatched roof and open beams - but on a huge, opulent scale, for the person who loves family and loves entertaining.”
Adds Maryn Scholtz: “Value is obvious to those who prize the quality of life above all, and to those who recognise how intimately happiness and well-being are linked to a safe home, an invigorating natural environment, and a culturally stimulating community. Given the high level of local and international investment in golf estates in the Western Cape, and the excellent capital appreciation enjoyed by investors within a very short period, the financial reasons to buy at De Zalze are compelling.. For example, when launched in 2003 stands of 900 m² went for R500,000 - and have recently resold for nearly R6m, while stands of 400m² which sold for less than R150,000 are now on the market for R2.4m. Prices in this estate currently range from R5m to R20m – quite reasonable if you compare this with Erinvale in Somerset West, which is priced from R3m up to R57m!”
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WIN!
