The rolling and fertile fields of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are emerging as a grape producing area, with the Midlands Meander tourism route proving to be one of the fledgling wine routes in the country.
You can escape to the rolling and fertile fields of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, which are emerging as a grape producing area, with the Midlands Meander tourism route proving to be one of the fledgling wine routes in the country.Highgate Wine Estate, on the same property as the renowned and popular Piggly Wiggly tourism destination, has proudly produced the first certified chardonnay in KZN, with a character and personality distinctly unique due to the region’s climate and soils. Other grape varieties grown are merlot, pinotage, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon.
A pioneer in the region of both red and white wines, and a contributor to the growth of local employment, Highgate has now launched a residential estate which offers home owners the opportunity to live on a working wine estate while enjoying the magnificent views over the patchwork pasture lands of the Dargle Valley and the ‘Little Berg’ or the Inhslosane Mountain range.
This is according to Iain Sinclair of Pam Golding Properties Midlands, the agent marketing Highgate Residential Wine Estate, who says the 58ha country lifestyle development is ideally suited to those with children attending the excellent private schools in the area, such as Michaelhouse and Hilton College, while the Pietermaritzburg schools of St Johns, St Annes, Epworth, St Charles, Wykeham Collegiate and Maritzburg College are all situated relatively close by.
He says Highgate features an existing elegant and exclusive shopping experience with coffee shop and restaurant known as Piggly Wiggly.
Highgate will offer 26 freehold residential sites, varying between 1 000sqm and 2 000sqm in size, and will be developed with architect-designed, luxury homes in a modern Natal Farm style genre.Highgate’s future development will include a 20 bedroom boutique hotel as well as a working wine cellar as separate amenities. The estate will offer walking, jogging, riding and cycling trails, as well as stabling facilities for equines, all within the estate precinct.
The estate is easily accessed via the tarred R103 after taking the Howick north/ Tweedie glide-off just past Midmar Dam. Sinclair says Highgate could not be better placed.
“It is equidistant between Pietermaritzburg and Nottingham Road, each some 20 minutes away, and convenient to the shopping centres and private hospitals of Hilton and Howick which are just a 10 minute drive.”
The waters of Midmar Dam are within 5km and Pietermaritzburg’s Oribi Airport 25 minutes’ travel from the estate.
“The 26 freehold residential sites, varying between 1 000sqm and 2 000sqm in size, will be developed with architect-designed, luxury homes in a modern Natal Farm style genre, with an emphasis on energy-efficient building methods and green technology to be used in the construction. The estate will also provide a safe, secured environment.”
The sites at Highgate are priced between R1.1 million and R1.6 million.
“This is an opportunity to invest in a unique and exclusive wine estate which offers the best of a country and leisure lifestyle, with spectacular scenery all within in a secure environment.”
Highgate homes will be developed with an emphasis on energy-efficient building methods and green technology to be used in the construction. The estate will also provide a safe, secured environment.He says residents and guests will have access to all the amenities on the estate, including all the trails leading through the neighbouring forest and vineyards, and with Lions River Polo Club only three minutes away.
“It is ideal as a weekend or leisure getaway, particularly for those with children attending the schools in the vicinity and surrounds.”
Sinclair says buyers who may, understandably, fall in love with this Dargle district have the option in the future of relocating to one of the appealing retirement villages in the Howick area, where some 4000 units cater for a growing demand.
Just recently, a new retirement complex, St Johns Village, was launched with ready built cottages available from R950 000 upwards, says Sinclair.
The KZN Midlands is renowned for its healthy climate, numerous scenic attractions and outdoor leisure activities. “Underberg and the Southern Drakensberg, with its majestic mountain ranges, capped with snow in winter, are about 120km’s drive away.”
Being well positioned within easy reach of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, and only four hours from Johannesburg, Highgate is an ideal investment for buyers seeking the perfect getaway destination, says Sinclair.
For further information, email Iain Sinclair.
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