* This article first appeared here in YOURLUXURY Africa
South Africa’s wine regions are renowned worldwide, attracting millions of visitors each year eager to indulge in the wine, sun, and stunning landscapes. Thankfully, there are still some quieter wine routes, with the Hemel-en-Aarde, perhaps being my favourite.
An ancient conversation unfolds between mountain and ocean, with the gentle maritime breeze acting as a bridge between the two. This area is perfect for producing premium wines, and as a group of my friends soon discovered, it offers unforgettable African memories infused with a touch of Italian nostalgia. Travel journalists often relish being the first to explore a new property, so I was eagerly anticipating my journey as my Audi navigated up the valley.
The owners, equally captivated by the valley’s beauty, shared their story with me: “We discovered this gem a few years ago; the beauty lies in its simplicity—the farm life, the tranquillity of a vineyard—all set in the most magical surroundings. Our vision has been to create a space where family and friends can come together to connect with nature and with one another, creating unforgettable experiences.”
Leaving the main road, the farm road meanders through vineyards and stately conifers until the farmhouse comes into view. With its terracotta plastered walls, is framed by flowering hydrangeas in the foreground and towering mountains behind.
Moya’s Vineyard is an new to the market exclusive-use rental featuring a manor house barn that can accommodate an impressive twenty people. Upon stepping inside, simply styled rooms blend modern African and authentic farm elements, always allowing the majestic surroundings to take centre stage. Four en suite rooms are complemented by a large lounge and kitchen (both with dining areas), as well as a rather plush study for those needing to put in a few hours of work.
The adjacent barn contains a king bedroom downstairs with a separate lounge, and upstairs, two spacious rooms, each with four single beds that can be converted to doubles, in addition to a central lounge.
Stepping outside, lush gardens wrap around the house and barn—both ornamental and verdant vegetable gardens freely available for picking. Expansive lawns, featuring a boules pitch, lead to the vineyards and olive groves. Beyond, two dams offer respite from the summer heat. Our favourite space, by far, was the large wraparound verandas with jaw-dropping views down the valley all the way to the ocean, tens of kilometres away.
With all this on offer, like us, you’ll probably not want to leave the property. However, the wine estates of Hemel-en-Aarde are only minutes away, and Hermanus is just a short drive. Moya is available only as an exclusive rental, accommodating up to 20 guests, making it perfect for friends, family, and intimate celebrations.
And yes, of course, there are vineyards. Fruit from the farm’s vines is crafted into wine by local legend Hannes Storm and is not currently available for commercial sale. However, guests may soon find bottles in the house upon arrival, serving as tasteful gifts from the farm’s bounty.
Taking my brief for a group of close friends celebrating being together again, the Moya team was eager to create bespoke experiences on the farm—something they take great pride in doing. More than mere activities or a property jumping on the experience bandwagon, the staff arranged these as a labour of love. At lunchtime on the second day of our visit, we were asked to take a stroll to the top dam and arrive hungry. Nestled under a willow tree, a gourmet picnic was laid out before us, complete with wines from the neighbouring farms.
As if this wasn’t enough, on our final evening, we were invited to the orchard at sunset. Anticipating what was to follow, I had already invited my companions to arrive in their finest formal wear. As the hour approached, the lawn transformed into a red carpet, where dresses and suits gracefully made their way across as the mellifluous timbre of Diana Krall’s voice floated over the outdoor Sonos speaker.
A G&T table, laden with condiments and tempting nibbles, had been set up, and our host, Nikki, was ready to craft individual drinks based on our preferences and palates. As if on cue, a cooling catabatic breeze gently descended the mountain, easing the heat of the day. The sun, appearing heavy from its daily duty, began to sink away, leaving champagne-coloured streaks across the sky.
This is the Moya magic, where we are left with a hundred memories that only this space could provide—and judging by the social envy following each guest’s posts, Moya’s Vineyard will, I think, soon be home to a string of intimate gatherings where, to borrow from the valley’s name, heaven touches earth. moyasvineyard.com
