Haute Cabrière, a cornerstone of the Franschhoek Wine Valley, has unveiled a sleek restoration of its historic property. Already one of South Africa’s most iconic wine brands, the revamp will surely make it one of the most popular destinations in the valley for wine enthusiasts.
The Haute Cabrière cellar was established in 1994 by the von Arnim family. The renovation journey was aimed at building on the past 25 years and setting the scene for the next.
“The project has been about honouring the legacy of our heritage; while celebrating the beauty of evolution. Even though the wines and the destination are ever-changing, it will never lose its essence,” says Takuan von Arnim, Director of Wine and 2nd generation Cellar Master.
“Every element of the project was ultimately designed to allow and inspire our guests to create and celebrate their own beautiful food and wine experiences,” continues von Arnim. “ The 25-year journey has really been about bringing to life the vision of creating an occasion for people to enjoy the art of life, in all its different forms.”
AD Muller, of A3D Architects, was selected to carefully restore the original winery while maintaining classic elements and infusing it with a timeless design. The brief was to design a space that would continue to create a stylish and authentically meaningful experience for guests; one that could adapt and cater to a variety of needs, for both local and international visitors. The existing canvas of spectacular views and majestic stone arches ensured that the spirit of ‘living beautifully’ could be executed elegantly.
Says AD Muller, lead architect at A3D: “The whole ambience is lighter. There’s a powerful sense of arrival, while the flow of the property guides guests through the different spaces and offerings. All of this is offset by an exquisite view of the landscape on one side, and the original European-inspired underground stone cellar on the other. A creative approach to décor has brought a fresh feel of modernity and an elegant style.”
Christiaan Barnard of Christiaan Barnard Interior and Design says: “We’ve retained the elegance and sophistication, which are synonymous with Haute Cabrière, but the interior design is much more on-trend now. A key aspect was to bring more light into the indoor space. We achieved this with the clever use of lighting and the choices in material and furniture.”
“There’s a balance of being chic, yet relaxed; with touches of opulence, whilst maintaining a timeless elegance. My primary focus was to keep the style very understated and accessible so as not to detract from both the natural environment or the experiences guests would have,” explains Barnard.
The most notable change at Haute Cabrière is the outdoor area which has been transformed and encapsulated in glass, with an expansive infinity deck, allowing guests to enjoy the different spaces, all-year-round while guaranteeing a spectacular view.
The winery has also evolved from a traditional tasting room and restaurant to a space that allows visitors to tailor their experience, every time. The property now offers a food and wine element from breakfast to dinner and all the in-betweens! The brand-new deli and bakery offer freshly baked artisanal fare, fresh produce from the vegetable garden, and condiments from the menu, enabling guests to take the Haute Cabrière experience home.
For 25 years, Haute Cabrière has crafted world-class Methode Cap Classique wines from the exceptional vineyards of South Africa. Pioneering founder Achim von Arnim played an integral role in establishing Franschhoek as one of the world’s premier winegrowing regions. His original vision was to create a wine portfolio that is accessible. Today, his legacy is celebrated within the winery’s beautiful new home.