A perfect base for walking and wine tasting in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Deep within the mountains, high above Hermanus, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is home to many famous wineries, fine restaurants and accommodation options, including High Season Farm.

- Brian Berkman.

High Season Farm in the Western Cape’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley extends over 40ha, 22ha of which are occupied by grazing for Nguni cattle and cottages. The balance of the farm is covered in fynbos and borders the Fernkloof Nature Reserve.

“My husband, Richard, grew up on a dairy farm in Ireland, and I come from the Kalahari in the Northern Cape, so farming is in our DNA,” says Jani Slattery. The couple lived in Mozambique where they worked in hospitality before coming to manage High Season Farm, owned by the Gordon Frew Trust, seven years ago.

“We want to show city people how a farm works and create a place that is safe for children and pets, but that is also close to beaches, wine estates and restaurants of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. We’re the only farmers in the valley who farm Nguni cattle and not wine grapes. We also offer the most accommodation: 40 beds spread over eight self-catering, four-star-graded cottages,” she says.

FARMHOUSE CHIC

Farmer’s Weekly stayed in The Lodge, a three-bedroom home that sleeps up to six people.

“The Lodge is the oldest house on the farm,” says Slattery, “and we wanted to keep its old-farmhouse vibe when it came to the interiors. The other cottages once served as horse stables and working buildings, which we developed into more modern-looking accommodation.”

According to Slattery, High Season is frequently fully booked on weekends by wedding parties of couples who are celebrating their nuptials on the nearby wine farms.

“There are also many guests who return each year for a long stay,” she adds. “We’re perfect for active guests who want to hike or go mountain biking.