TUCKED AWAY
Luxury eco-reserve, Grootbos is tucked away and is a one-of-a-kind experience
LAST month was World Pinot Noir Day – who knew? Not even Peter Finlayson from Bouchard Finlayson, a farm in the Hemel-en-aarde valley which produces award-winning pinot noirs. Even so, Finlayson rose to the occasion by inviting a group of us to join him for a pairing dinner at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve just outside Gansbaai, about half an hour from Hermanus. While the 2016 Galpin Peak pinot noir – which has been raking in local and international awards – was to be celebrated, we also got to taste some other Bouchard Finlayson vintages with a spectacular meal prepared by chef Ben Conradie. Grootbos is an incredible experience from beginning to end. Once you’ve been warmly welcomed, you’ll be taken to your suite along the winding pathways through the forest. There are 16 individual houses in this part of the reserve, all offering exquisite views across hectares of fynbos and all the way to the ocean. They comprise a lounge, bedroom, en suite bathroom, second bathroom, kitchenette with the complimentary minibar and a large deck with outside shower and sun loungers. Secluded, private and undeniably romantic, these suites are the perfect couple’s retreat. Other options include two huge villas for large groups – four and six bedrooms – and family accommodation at the Garden Lodge. In the villas all meals and drinks are included along with a grand piano, butler, private chef, landing strip for light aircraft or your helicopter, art collections, gym and anything else you can imagine money can buy. One day… A Forest Lodge suite is by no means slumming it; they are utterly gorgeous and you don’t need to see another soul the entire time you are there (until you get hungry, that is). Nature is an important part of Grootbos, which includes a fynbos kingdom and ancient milkwood forest which are home to 800 plant species, 118 bird species, 29 mammals and 21 amphibians – some of which are endangered. Carefully curated experiences offer guests the chance to grow, learn and discover, whether it’s spotting the southern right whales and their calves that visit Walker Bay from July to December, learning how bees pollinate flowers, or meeting passionate people changing the world. During my time spent at Grootbos I have been taken on journeys of fynbos exploration and education – on horseback and in a 4x4 vehicle, walked through the 1000-year-old milkwood forest in search of fairies and elves and visited the ancient Klipgat caves at De Kelders. This was followed by a walk along the wild beach to a rocky outcrop where we toasted the sunset with bubbly and canapés. This is only a small taste of what you can enjoy. If you can dream it, you can do it.