“Welcome to the best place on earth,” the security guard chuckled as he waved us through the gates of Brookdale Wine Estate, tucked into the foothills of the Paarl Mountains in South Africa’s famed Cape Winelands. His laughter wasn’t teasing; it carried a knowing certainty. And as we drove up the winding path, vineyards unfurling like a green velvet ribbon, I began to understand exactly what he meant.

Brookdale is a place that listens – not just to its guests, but to the land itself. Once a neglected landscape, it has been revived with purpose and passion by Tim Rudd, who saw promise where others saw decay. With a deep commitment to sustainability and a spirit of curiosity, he set out to restore the land, replanting indigenous flora, rebuilding the soil’s health, and crafting a world-class wine estate from the ground up. Today, Brookdale is a place where old meets new – where heritage vines thrive alongside innovative winemaking, where traditional techniques blend seamlessly with a forward-thinking approach, and where every detail, no matter how small, is considered.

It’s a place that invites you to wonder, to wander, and, most of all, to stay curious.

A Manor House of Tranquility

The doors of the manor house swung open as we arrived, revealing sunlit spaces, elegant furnishings, and the unmistakable aroma of something delicious wafting from the open kitchen. Before I had time to take in the artwork (personal pieces from the estate’s owner), a glass of chilled MCC was placed in my hand. The welcome was effortless—the kind that doesn’t need to be rehearsed, only felt.

The house doesn’t just feel exclusive; it feels exclusively yours. A grand staircase leads to six thoughtfully designed suites, each following a distinct colour theme, weaving a tapestry of individuality within a larger story. Our suite was a dream – airy, spacious, and filled with thoughtful touches, including hand-blended bath salts (the perfect excuse to soak and reflect on the day’s discoveries).

As if that wasn’t invitation enough to slow down, the estate’s gardens and pool beckon in their own serene way. Wandering through the gardens, flowers in bloom, the scent of lavender and citrus mingling in the air, felt like stepping into a painting. Followed by a late afternoon swim, book in hand and the occasional sip of wine. if there’s a better way to unwind, I haven’t found it yet.

A Living Landscape: Sustainability in Motion

Brookdale isn’t just a working estate—it’s a thriving ecosystem where nature and viticulture co-exist.

Sustainability extends beyond the soil to every creature that calls it home, from the parading peacocks to the deer that roam between the vines. The land here is evolving, learning, and growing. And taking a walk through the vineyards, framed by rugged mountains that shift in colour as the sun dips lower, was a lesson in respecting nature’s rhythm.

The estate is on a journey toward sustainable farming, but becoming truly sustainable isn’t a one-harvest wonder. Paarl’s climate, pests, and water availability present a unique puzzle – one that Brookdale is solving with care. The estate is already implementing low-intervention farming, reducing synthetic inputs, and focusing on regenerative viticulture to nourish the land for generations to come.

Beyond the vineyards, sustainability is embedded in daily operations—rainwater collection, solar energy at the bistro and tasting room, and an ever-expanding kitchen garden that supplies fresh, seasonal ingredients. The estate is also working towards key sustainability certifications, proving that luxury and environmental responsibility can (and should) go hand in hand.

One of the most striking symbols of this balance with nature is the presence of caracals. These elusive wild cats, often threatened by habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, have found refuge on the estate. Their presence suggests that Brookdale’s approach to land stewardship – restoring degraded vineyards, reducing human impact, and encouraging biodiversity – is working. Rather than pushing nature out to make way for vineyards, Brookdale is letting nature back in.

It’s a reminder that conservation isn’t just about protecting iconic species in distant reserves – it’s also about making space for nature in the places we live, work, and cultivate.

Sip, Dip, and Stay Curious

Brookdale doesn’t just pour wine – it invites you to play with it. The Mason Road Sip & Dip was a perfect example. A fun, interactive tasting that paired four wines with four dips, it wasn’t about stuffy tasting notes but about sparking curiosity. Their wines, much like the estate itself, don’t demand attention, they invite it.

Our sommelier was both insightful and lighthearted, making the experience feel more like an adventure in taste than a formal tasting. Each sip unlocked a new layer, each dip added an unexpected twist.

My favourite? It’s like choosing your favourite sunset – they’re all beautiful in their own way. But I had two. The ‘Serendipity’ Rosé stood out – not least because serendipity happens to be my favourite word. Paired with the briny richness of olive tapenade, its delicate fruit notes became even more vibrant.

And then there was Brookdale’s white field blend (not part of our tasting, but we sampled this separately). One of the estate’s most fascinating quirks is its experimental approach to winemaking. Brookdale’s white field blend – a fascinating mosaic of 16 different grape varieties, all grown together, harvested together, and made together – defies convention in the best way possible. A red field blend is now being crafted in the same way, an ongoing experiment that reflects the estate’s philosophy: listen, adapt, evolve.

It was a reminder that wine isn’t just meant to be tasted, it’s meant to be experienced.

A Culinary Exploration at the Bistro

Curiosity doesn’t just guide Brookdale’s wines; it’s woven into every dish at The Bistro at Brookdale.

The space is warm and open, with a kitchen that invites you to peek in and witness the magic. Under the guidance of Head Chef Gary Coetzee, the kitchen celebrates seasonal ingredients, many of which are sourced from nearby farmers, artisans, and Brookdale’s kitchen garden. This means the menu changes with the land, ensuring that what’s on the plate is always a reflection of the moment and the estate’s surroundings.

We started with homemade focaccia, its golden crust giving way to a pillowy-soft centre – perfect for mopping up fragrant olive oil.

For mains, I opted for the Line-caught, pan-seared Fish Du Jour—a dish as fresh as the breeze rolling through the vineyards. Served with crisp fat-cut fries, a lemon, caper, and chive cream sauce, and a glass of Mason Road Chenin Blanc, it was a masterclass in balance: bright, zesty, and utterly indulgent. Across the table, the miso aubergine with gingered carrot and cashew purée, sorghum salad, homemade kimchi, and sweet potato crisp proved to be a showstopper.

And then came dessert – Basque cheesecake, rich and caramelised, paired with roasted Chenin grapes and vine leaf gelato. It was indulgent without being overwhelming, a final note of curiosity that left us wanting just one more bite.

The Curiosity to Return

Morning at Brookdale is unrushed. We woke to birdsong drifting through the open windows, the first light casting a golden glow over the vineyards. Breakfast unfolded at its own pace, with fresh-baked pastries, vibrant fruit, and eggs made to order, all enjoyed on the terrace as the estate stirred to life.

I could have stayed there for hours, watching the landscape shift with the morning sun, but instead, we made our way back to the pool for one last dip before departure. Floating in the cool water, looking out over the vines, I realised that Brookdale isn’t the kind of place you visit once.

It’s the kind of place that invites you back, not just to relive an experience, but to discover something new. And that’s exactly what I plan to do.

As we drove away, I caught myself smiling. The security guard had been right all along.

W: Brookdale Estate
T: +27 (0)87 057 4508
E: reservations@brookdale-estate.com

Written by Emma Blunt for Luxuria Lifestyle International