Roggeland Country House In the Heart of the South African Winelands Cape country houses are the stately homes of South Africa, set characteristically amid a sea of vineyard, curling gables etched on blue sky. Thatched roofs on sturdy whitewashed walls, spacious wood-lined interiors and sweeping gardens are the legacies of a dignified past. Designed in the Cape Dutch architectural style and dating from the early seventeenth century, most Cape Country houses are to be found in the winelands of Paarl, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Constantia. Wine is this region's lifeblood, its architectural heritage its soul. Romantic Atmosphere The romantic atmosphere of Old Cape hospitality is enhanced by gleaming yellowwood finishes, high ceilings, sophisticated yet cosy bedrooms and fresh flowers everywhere. An exclusive hotel with accommodation for 19 people at most, Roggeland is a place where friends are made. The Farm Roggeland takes its name from Rogsecale africanum, the wild rye growing at the foot of the Drakenstein mountains. A 1700's Masterpiece An eighteenth-century Cape Dutch masterpiece, the farmhouse is a national monument. Ringed by the Drakenstein mountains, this country house is situated in the Dal Josaphat Valley, north-east of the town of Paarl. It is less than an hours drive from Cape Town. Driving through some of the loveliest winelands in the world, a mood of tranquil anticipation sets in as you approach this romantic and tranquil property. Unusually Designed An important interior feature of Roggeland Country House is the 4-leafed diamond-panelled 'porte visite'. Made from yellowwood and stinkwood, it separates the entrance hall from the dining room. Also interesting is the exterior curved staircase which was once used by goats to climb to their attic-manger.