Grand Dedale Country House Cape Winelands

The luxurious Grand Dédale Country House which nestles on the Doolhof Wine Estate close to Wellington at the foot of the Bainskloof Pass, offers its guests exclusive accommodation in a lovely rural setting.

At Grand Dédale, guests are invited to enjoy sumptuous comfort, discreet service and complete privacy in six individually designed and appointed en-suite bedrooms, or in the separate thatched stone cottage, amidst beautiful Winelands scenery.

Facilities and activities at the five star Grand Dédale Country House in Wellington comprise a swimming pool, a spa room, hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, a River Walk and a Vineyard Walk on the Estate, while fishing, canyoning and other leisure sports, including golf played on world class golf courses, are a short drive away.

Set in a beautiful long valley, the exclusive Grand Dédale Country Estate is set on 380 hectares of vineyard, forest and fynbos and is surrounded by three dramatic mountain ranges. “Doolhof” is the Afrikaans word for labyrinth and was given to the Estate by the early settlers in 1709, due to the many hills and vales which allowed only one way in and out. Grand Dédale translates into “Great Labyrinth”.

Entering the romantic country road leading into the Grand Dédale Estate, guests are surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, vineyards and mysterious forests. The gates with the great “D” lead past manicured horse paddocks and rows of white roses, revealing the beauty and elegance of the Estate. At Grand Dédale, tranquility and privacy are guaranteed.

The Cape Town city centre and the Cape Town International Airport are a mere 45 minutes drive away, whereas the sunny golden beaches of the Cape Peninsula, the whales of False Bay as well as the Cape West Coast National Park are within an hour's reach.

Accommodation at the Grand Dédale Country House, Wellington

Accommodation at Grand Dédale consists of six beautifully appointed and individually designed rooms and suites in the historic Manor House and one free standing thatched cottage, all reflecting the Cape Dutch elegance of the buildings with 21st century comfort and 5 star luxury. Interiors have been carefully chosen to suit the style, with a subtle use of technology. The rooms are spacious and equipped with the finest materials, linen and amenities giving an instant homely feel.
            
Guest room amenities and services:

• Fresh flowers & fruit basket
• Air-conditioning & heating
• Under floor heating in the bathroom
• Heated towel rails
• Twin basin
• Shower & bath
• Hairdryer
• High quality 720 g towels
• Luxurious velour bathrobes
• Luxury amenities
• 300 thread count percale linen
• Imported, allergy free down duvets and pillows and fine fibre pillows
• Tea & Coffee facility
• Electronic safe
• Wireless internet connection
• I-pod docking station including radio and alarm clock
• Remote telephone for internal and external calls

Dining at the Grand Dédale Country House, Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands are popular for good food and wine.  Specialties at the Grand Dédale Country House include wholesome Cape-style dishes with the emphasis on game and seafood, prepared by the local resident chef. All ingredients are fresh and locally sourced ensuring a truly African feast with every meal.

Guests are invited to start their day with a sumptuous "Cap Classique" breakfast with a range of homemade treats such as freshly squeezed juices, homemade jams, exotic fruit slices and fruit salads, as well as freshly baked breads, rolls, muffins and croissants, homemade mueslis, healthy cereals and yoghurts. In addition, this luxurious country retreat offers a mouth-watering selection of cooked dishes. Light lunches and snacks are served throughout the day.

There are many beautiful picnic spots on the Grand Dedale Estate and the surrounding areas. Visitors are encouraged to pack their blanket, a good book and one of the delicious picnic baskets. For the active hiker or mountain biker the country house also provides picnic backpacks  which can be filled with carbohydrate-packed snacks. In the afternoons guests are served a high tea buffet with freshly baked delicacies.

Sunsets in the Winelands are magical, leaving the mountains dipped in shades of orange and purple. At Grand Dédale, sunset is celebrated with sundown pre-dinner drinks on the veranda or by the swimming pool. On cooler evenings, the estate serves the aperitif in the library in front of the fireplace. This is followed by a four course table d’hôte menu.  Emphasising game and seafood, all ingredients are locally sourced and prepared in a Cape idiom.
 
Facilities and Services at the Grand Dédale Country House, Cape Winelands

• Library
• Tea lounge with fireplace
• TV lounge with international channels
• Dining room
• Large veranda overlooking the valley
• Al fresco dining
• Two self-service residents’ bar fridges
• Outdoor kitchen with gourmet braai facilities
• 15 x 3 metre salt water pool & loungers
• Spa room offering various beauty, wellness and non-surgical rejuvenating treatments
• Extensive, landscaped gardens
• Wireless internet connection
• On-site laundry service
• Valet parking
• Concierge services
• Airport transfers

Doolhof Wine Estate, Wellington (South Africa)

Roughly 40 of the farm’s 380 hectares are under vine. Soils, growing conditions and microclimates vary considerably across this large expanse which reaches up into Bain’s Kloof, and each grape varietal is faithfully wedded to its ideal terroir. Two white varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, are grown, with a substantial number of reds, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot, Pinotage and Shiraz. The white varietals are planted on the eastern slopes of the Groenberg, which allow the grapes cooler days and less direct sunlight. The late sunrise and early sunset also allows for a longer ripening process, enhancing the elegance of the award winning wines.

The valley in which Doolhof lies is blessed with unique and varied terroirs. The microclimates, growing conditions and soil types make it ideal for growing wine grapes.  The Estate lies nestled between Bain’s Kloof and the Groenberg Mountain Range. The result is soils that are finer, more balanced and deeper than in the surrounding countryside with clay content evenly distributed. A combination of Malmesbury shale, homogenic Glenrosa and Clovelly soils ensure that the roots are able to descend to four metres or beyond.

While Doolhof has more than adequate irrigation, natural water retention is also very good, without any sign of permanent dampness. While the shape and exposure (topography) of the various parts of the Doolhof Estate allow for several distinct microclimates, generally, Doolhof experiences cooler winters and moderate summers compared with the Wellington norm.