Owloon – The Perfect Hideaway in the Cape Winelands

Cradled in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Paarl is a town that seems to shimmer beneath its iconic granite mountain, glowing pink and gold as the sun dips low over the valley. With oak-lined streets, centuries-old Cape Dutch architecture, and rolling vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see, Paarl offers an irresistible blend of heritage, natural beauty, and world-class hospitality.

It’s here where you will find a superbly private oasis hidden in the valley in the skirts of the boulder-strewn Paarl Mountain. Owloon was largely overlooked until a visionary ‘nature lover’ discovered it was for sale. After looking at over 300 farms from Cape Point to Karoo, it was the first and only one that truly appealed as ‘it is historic and traditional, it has its own water source and is surrounded by extraordinary beauty’. Poignantly, the original 1797 gable of the original farm cottage bears the initials of its first owners, although little is known of this very early history. In the same year, the farmstead at nearby Rheebokskloof was built, joining the likes of Nederberg, Laborie and Landskroon in Paarl. It was here, at this humble cottage at the heart of the farm, with never-ending views along the valley to the wheat-rich fields of the Swartland, that painstaking restoration work started.

Paarl is a place where time slows just enough for you to savour a glass of award-winning wine, wander through historic estates, and feel the quiet hum of a community steeped in culture and charm. Whether you’re drawn by its culinary treasures, breathtaking scenery, or the gentle rhythm of country life, Paarl invites you to linger—just a little longer than planned.

At Owloon, initially the garden design was to be inspired by French formalism, but award-winning landscape designer Alan Dawson adapted the concept to create ‘timeless flow’ with a nod to the heritage of the property. Landscaping is largely indigenous and mature trees were planted, making it look like a well-established garden that’s been here forever.

Equally important to the architectural design of the recent extension to the main manor house was that there should be views of every aspect of the garden and the surrounding mountains. The build took almost four years to complete, but with complex roof restructuring, immaculate finishes and fastidious attention to detail, it was worth the wait and is what makes a stay at Owloon Farms an exceptional experience.

A beautiful serene space that embraces local craftsmanship

Everything from the honed Zimbabwean marble in the bathrooms, to the superbly detailed joinery, imported French Oak flooring and wonderfully atmospheric lighting, has been overseen by Owloon’s perfectionist owner alongside South African interior designer Clinton Savage. Together they worked as a team, with Clinton’s ‘superbly organised’ skills complementing the owner’s vision to create an experience ‘that would appeal to all the senses’. From the lead-free, oil-free paint chosen for its breathability and health benefits to the bespoke Turkish silk carpets inset with brass liners and underfloor heating, plus locally commissioned ceramics and imported linens and beds from Germany and Switzerland, a stay here is intended to be luxuriously understated and peaceful. Special care has been taken to choose paint colours that are ‘cool yet cosy’, given the midsummer heat of the Paarl winelands, with bespoke furnishings complemented by a personal collection of contemporary art and photography throughout.

There is an overriding sense of nature, architecture and art here. Doorways were raised to improve flow, and every window and view perfectly positioned to take the views. The unmistakable earthiness of fresh mountain air drifts in at night when owls toot in the oaks, and come springtime, the sweet scent of citrus blossom fills the valley. A less-is-more approach inspired the decor, achieving a calm and soothing interior style. Multiple outdoor dining areas, positioned to catch the best of morning and afternoon light, allow guests to enjoy the carefree summer lifestyle of the Cape to its max, while roaring wood or gas fireplaces and shafts of sunshine beaming through high windows, make living here blissful year-round. And, in addition to a superbly equipped main kitchen, there is a chef’s kitchen adjacent to a kitchen garden, with a gym and massage room beyond.

Off-the-grid and utterly tranquil

Today, Owloon is completely off-grid with abundant energy. A natural spring set deep at the end of the valley feeds crystal-clear filtered water into the swimming dam in front of the cottage, while a natural waterfall flows in the gorge between autumn and spring. Below the dam, near the gracious entrance to the farm – in what was a drought-stricken, uninviting landscape when purchased a few years ago – racehorses at Owloon Stud now enjoy gloriously green paddocks. It was this vision that inspired the owner to buy the original farm. Now made up of a total of 11 adjoining farms purchased over the past six years, the hillsides are covered in thriving lemon, lime and clementine orchards, a grove of pomegranates and Cabernet Franc vines, all of which are pesticide-free.

Above these flourishing orchards, a world-class mountain biking trail awaits on the farm. Used this year for the first time by leading cycling professionals, it’s geared towards the professional rider who enjoys a stiff challenge in a superb mountain-top setting.

There is no doubt that Owloon’s guests will be seduced by this hidden oasis. Utterly tranquil and secure, this is a lifestyle experience seldom found by discerning travellers who are passionate about privacy and comfort above all else.