Tanagra Wine and Guest Farm

Old Land Rovers move slowly, so when we finally reached Tanagra it was already dark and we were late. Unperturbed by the winter chill, Robert took us through to our room, The Garden Cottage, which is a beautifully converted farm-worker’s abode replete with four poster bed, enormous lounge area and private garden patio, as well as kitchen and en-suite bathroom.

The following morning we met the other half of this dynamic couple, Anette, who told us more about the other parts of their business, the grappa distillery and the wine making and showed us the other suites (the Loft Studio, housed in a hay loft, and Bottlebrush and Gumtree, ground floor one-bed apartments) – all self-catering to a very comfortable standard and decorated in a simple but refined country style.Along the way we were accompanied by the dog, Finn, who was a complete gentleman at all times and the new puppy, Toby, who is a gentleman in training.

Next Robert picked us up and took us to the pinnacle of achievement at Tanagra – Faraway. This entirely off grid, ultra-sustainable building isn’t a weekend cottage but a design in total harmony with its landscape (and in fact using the landscape to design the building). No form of human endeavour is visible in a 360-degree surround meaning you can truly relax in the bath in front of the floor to ceiling windows as you take in the view. This two-bed house (so sleeping up to four) and even offers a small plunge pool under the stoep and car port to shade your car.

If Faraway’s not available, take the Hill Cottage – not as chic and modern in its design but still offering the same pure tranquillity and isolation combined with comfort and simplicity.

Anette and Robert have built, mapped and signposted no less than four hiking routes on the farm, which you can also cycle if you so choose: there are stop off points with benches to have lunch and even bird hides on the Vrolijheid Route – combine that with a grappa or wine tasting and really, you’re set for several days of relaxation.

McGregor itself is a quaint village only a 5 minutes’ drive away from Tanagra, offering relaxed small-village feeling and a selection of lovely owner-run cafes and restaurants.

Sustainability: The water supply for their guest cottages all comes from a borehole on the farm. They also source rainwater for irrigating the garden, together with waste/grey water. They recycle mainly plastic, glass and paper for which there are separate recycling bins at each cottage. Organic waste goes to a compost heap in their veggie garden.

Mobility: All the cottages (except the Loft studio) are suitable for mobility impaired guests. There is no or only a minor step from the parking area to the units. The Loft studio is not suitable for mobility impaired persons as there is a very steep staircase leading up to it.

Children: They accept children of all ages. There are lots of space on the farm for them to roam and also to ride bikes. They will enjoy the pools on warm days.