In addition to permanent employees, there is a stream of volunteers who work on the farm for a few months in exchange for board and lodging. Over the years we have had volunteers from Germany, Austria, Sweden. South Africa and the UK

Where
We are an hour’s drive up the west coast from Cape Town, in the Paardeberg mountain, just outside the town of Malmesbury. Situated in a hidden kloof, our lovely farm nestles against the mountain, tranquil and faraway, yet easy to reach.

Area
Fynbos Estate covers 320 hectares – 20 hectares of which are wine-grape vineyard, 30 hectares of which are open farmland, and 270 hectares of which are granite mountain. The vegetation is relatively pristine and is a mix of fynbos types.

History
It is likely that the Khoi originally roamed this area. Then, as early as the late 1600s, land registration was granted to Dutch settlers and the farm De Hoop was established in the Joubertskloof valley. With all records lost to fire, it is uncertain when De Hoop was divided and Weltevrede, presently Fynbos, established. Since then it has changed hands three or four times until in 1997 we, Johan and Diana, together with friends abroad, purchased the farm.

Dragonridge Winery
We grow red and white wine grape cultivars, some of which go to Swartland Cellars nearby, and the remainder we use for our own wines. We made 1,000 bottles of our first wine in 2004, and have expanded to10,000 bottles in 2008. We hope to double this quantity over the next two years.  In 2007 we named our winery Dragonridge after one of the mountains on the farm. Our wines have proved very popular with good ratings in John Platter for our first entries.

Fynbos Mountain Retreat
In September 2004, Fynbos Mountain Retreat opened as a guest house, workshop and retreat centre. The guest house is a beautiful 11 roomed Cape Dutch Victorian farm house, with a great deal of character and comfortable accommodation. In 2006 we added one guest cottage and in 2009  larger farm cottage. Currently we can accommodate up to 25 guests overnight (sharing).  We pride ourselves on comfort, a relaxed atmosphere and delicious food. Using fresh produce from the vegetable garden, Johan is legendary for his cooking and can make anything from Indian curries to gourmet dishes. We also offer self catered and part catered options.

Fynbos Pavilion
The Fynbos Pavilion opened in mid 2008. It is a truly magical space with wooden floors, lovely gardens and beautiful views. With requests for weddings of larger numbers we have just expanded the building to take up to 80) guests, This is an ideal space for weddings and celebrations, workshops retreats and small conferences and has proved very popular with a wide range of groups and guests

Nature Reserve
The mountain portion of Fynbos Estate is one of the first areas on the Paardeberg to be part of the Cape Nature Conservation Stewardship Program for private wild land. It is envisioned that, once the legalities are finalized later this year, the Simson- Simons Nature Reserve (named of the late parents of both Diana and Johan), will be a fully fledged Cape Nature Reserve.

Commitment
All of us involved with the farm have a great love of it, and hope that its beauty and peace will continue to inspire people in many different ways. Our commitment is also to community development in the area, and to the conservation of this small paradise as part of what little wilderness there is left to us.

Click above pic. for details of our extended family