Wine estate living now available at a fraction of the price

A new fractional ownership opportunity at Zorgvliet Vineyard Lodge & Spa in South Africa is ideal for those who have always dreamed of owning a vineyard but do not want the hassle or hefty financial outlay. The 300 year old Zorgvliet (pronounced Zor-fleet) Wine Estate, which is nestled in the beautiful Banhoek Valley near Stellenbosch, just 40 minutes from Cape Town, is offering owners the opportunity to participate and learn about the whole wine-making process, from picking the grapes in the field to blending wines in the cellar. With the pound so strong against the rand and the hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2010, there has been no better time to buy a property in South Africa.

Fractional ownership is based on equity ownership in perpetuity and prices start from as little as ZAR 72,000 / approx. £6,000 for a share in a luxurious 45sq m. suite. The Vineyard Lodge is built around a swimming pool in an inner courtyard and elegantly furnished to five star standards with beautiful interiors. All lodge rooms have en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, satellite TV, fireplace and private expansive terraces to enjoy the sweeping panoramic views of the Simonsberg Mountain Range and vineyards.

The family run estate was named by European settlers in 1685 after a beautiful Dutch farm in The Hague, Zorgvliet derives from the Dutch meaning ‘Let your sorrows flee’ and is symbolic of the region’s clean air, panoramic mountain scenery and fantastic wine.

The family business is headed up by Mr Mac Van Der Merwe, an experienced South African Hotelier who recognises people are looking to ‘add value’ to their properties and the way they holiday has changed over recent years. “We have found today’s buyers are more sophisticated and have higher expectations – they no longer want standard holiday property. We know from our hospitality experience of running five hotels and lodges that people are beginning to demand more ‘experiential’ type holidays. Rather than just visiting a place they are keen to learn something new or immerse themselves in the culture or environment.”

Unlike many other wine estates who keep their wine making a tightly guarded secret, Zorgvliet welcomes owners into their cellar and vineyards, even at harvest time, to learn about the wine making process. Owners can learn from the Zorgvliet Viticulturist about how he gets the best yield from the grapes, natural pest control and the best time to harvest, whilst the Wine Maker takes owners through the technologically advanced cellar and explains the process from pressing the grapes, the fermentation, to blending and bottling. Owners get a yearly allocation of 24 bottles of Zorgvliet’s Award Winning wine with their own personalised label, and can participate in barrel sampling, complimentary wine tasting with the winemaker, tutorials in food & wine pairing and wine appreciation classes.

The unique Cape Dutch architecture of the estate’s original 17th century Manor House (which is now a fine dining restaurant called Herenhuis) blends beautifully with the vineyard and mountain landscape. This is the perfect setting for food and wine pairing gourmet dinners where Zorgvliet’s Chef and Winemaker talk through the combination of the different flavours on the menu. Owners can also experience the magical ambiance of a mountain braai or picnic at the foot of the Simonsberg and enjoy the tranquillity of the evening valley as the mountains that flank the valley are painted rainbow sunset colours.

The wine theme is even carried through to the spa, where owners can enjoy an individual or couples treatment from the TheraVINE range, whose patented process draws on extracts of the vine’s age-defying anti-oxidants. Treatments include amongst others a Pinotage Vine Balancing Facial, Crushed Cabernet Scrub or a Pinot Noir Contouring Body Gel Wrap.

Owners become members of the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club and can swap their usage time with any of The Zorgvliet Group’s five star luxury residences in five outstanding locations around South Africa including; Dinkweng Safari Camp and Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa (Limpopo Province) offering safaris and big 5 game viewing, Alluvia Specialist Winery (near Stellenbosch) offering alternative vineyard living with golf tuition, Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country Club (near Johannesburg) country and golf club breaks, and The King George Hotel in George offering Garden Route sightseeing and golf. Additionally, The Zorgvliet Group has partnered with the global vacation club, Interval International, which enables ZPRC members to exchange usage time at their South African property with 2400 top-flight resorts world-wide.

There is a growing buzz surrounding South Africa right now as the world sporting spotlight turns on it. This year the country is the ICC Champion Trophy Cricket Tournament (September-October) and in 2010 will play host to the FIFA Football World Cup (June–July). Massive transport infrastructure projects, including new rail lines and highways are underway in preparation.

For more information, visit zorgvlietfractions.com