The Western Cape is a region blessed with immense geographic and historic diversity. This is a place where majestic mountains, white-sand beaches and a vibrant city meet in a wonderful kaleidescope of nature and culture.
Adara Palmiet Valley is located in the Paarl Winelands of South Africa, centre of the region's beautiful and historic Cape Winelands and just 30 minutes from Cape Town's city centre. The Cape Winelands include the historic towns of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. It is the largest wine producing region in South Africa.
With a selection of over 200 cellars, you are guaranteed to taste some of the finest wines in the world. This is the home of Adara Palmiet Valley: a place you'll find hard to beat for exploring one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The Paarl Winelands in South Africa offer the visitor a myriad of scenic experiences from fertile vineyards, to rugged blue mountains capped with snow in winter time. So visit the quaint villages and vibrant townships, museums and galleries, theatres and festivals.
There's no shortage of things to do in the Paarl Winelands, South Africa. French settlers first arrived in the Cape in the 1680s, bringing with them their passion for the grape and wine making expertise. Adara Palmiet Valley, was first owned by one such 'Huguenot' – a Frenchman named Jean du Buis. The farm's original building, today's guesthouse, was completed in 1692.
When Fred Uhlendorff acquired the Estate in 1996, the homestead and its vineyards were in a desolate condition, but with typical vision and flair, entrepreneur Fred has modernized the farm, turning it into the highly successful enterprise seen today.
While the farm has always been a wine farm first, less lofty fruits have their history here too. Bordering the pool area, are nine of the country's very first Guava trees. Today, the farms plentiful orchards supply the fruit canning industry in great quantities.
Although, the Estate's wines are produced and bottled by neighbouring wineries and are only available for export, you will be pleased to learn that the Estate’s Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin, Shiraz and Merlot are all available to be quaffed and enjoyed throughout your stay.
The Drakenstein Region
The name Drakenstein derives from the Dutch Estate, which formerly belonged to the Lord of Mijdrecht, who named it after the area he lived in while in Holland. When the V.O.I.C. began its settlement at the Cape in 1691, the Western Cape region of Drakenstein became the third most important district of South Africa. The mountains you see all around you are named the Drakenstein mountains.
From the top of the Du Toitskloof you will see the sweeping valley which is divided into two by the Berg River (which means, 'mountain river'). The area west of the river now is called Groot Drakenstein (Greater Drakenstein) and, the eastern part of the Bergriver, where Adara Palmiet Valley is situated, Klein Drakenstein (Little Drakenstein).
The City of Paarl
The history of the city of Paarl starts in 1720 when the first church was built. The Main Street was planned and the characteristic oaks were planted. The first important industry was the construction of wagons for the settlers who were on their way to cross the mountains near Paarl. Because of the good climate and the fertile soil, vegetables and fruits were soon cultivated and as the first French Huguenots arriving. This is when viticulture started as well
Today, Paarl is the home of 70.000 people and it is becoming a famous holiday destination. With attractions such as the Paarl Museum at the Oude Pastorie, the Paarl Language Monument and the world's biggest wine cellar, KVW, the town of Paarl is a good example of the history of South Africa from the beginning of colonisation until the present.
