We recently enjoyed a truly wonderful stay at Lily Pond House at Le Lude in Franschhoek, the ideal luxurious farm retreat for exploring the area. Since we don’t visit Franschhoek that often, having two dedicated days to immerse ourselves fully in the beautiful surroundings made the experience feel extra special.
According to their website, the vision at Le Lude can be perfectly captured by an earlier Barrow, who said, “Nowhere have I seen the sublime and the beautiful, the tame and the terrible so well arranged.” (These words were written by Sir John Barrow during his visit to the Franschhoek Valley in the first British occupation of the Cape, between 1795 and 1803.)
“Nic and Ferda Barrow are passionate about the finer things in life and put their hearts and souls into everything they do. This is reflected in the numerous accolades and awards they have received over the years. Among other honours, the Barrows have been recognized by the Jewish National Fund of South Africa for their contributions to the President Nelson Mandela Park in Delft and the Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre in Mamelodi. Additionally, they provide several bursaries to learners from underprivileged communities. The Barrow Family Trust also serves as a corporate sponsor for the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.”
Le Lude was not their first venture into hospitality. They originally opened Rosenhof Country House in 1992, located in a homestead built in 1852 on what was then a working farm. Nic, an attorney by profession, was also instrumental in starting both the KKNK (Klein Karoo National Arts Festival) and the Klein Karoo Klassique Art Festival.
Tucked behind the French Huguenot Monument, which honours all things French, lies the magnificent farm known as Le Lude.
“Today, Le Lude continues to build on Franschhoek’s vinous tradition, specializing in Cap Classique. Their focus on expressing site and terroir through their grapes results in a premium product of unrivalled excellence. With innovation in the cellar and an uncompromising pursuit of perfection, Le Lude has become one of the world’s most exciting new producers of Cap Classique, a wine known for its finesse, elegance, and refinement. Le Lude is also the first cellar to produce an Agrafe® (Tirage Liège) Cap Classique, setting a new standard of greatness for the South African wine industry.”
However, even this description barely scratches the surface of the scenic beauty, attention to detail, and breathtaking charm of the farm. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered. The tasting room is absolutely stunning, and the buildings reflect the incredible backdrop of mountains, vineyards, and natural flora and fauna.
We were fortunate enough to be hosted at the gorgeous Lily Pond House on Le Lude. The house features two spacious en-suite double rooms, an open-plan kitchen and lounge, an outdoor entertaining area, and a swimming pool. It’s perfect for single couples or small families, offering both privacy and the unique experience of staying on a working wine estate.
On Friday, we had a few guests over for an impromptu indoor picnic, and the house had every comfort and kitchen tool we could need. Beautiful in its simplicity, it boasts fine linens, solid furniture, original artwork, and even underfloor heating in the textured monochrome bathrooms. The blend of style, practicality, beauty, and comfort left us wishing we could stay forever.
The outdoor loggia, complete with a fireplace, overlooks a tranquil pool with loungers and, naturally, a lily pond. As if that weren’t charming enough, there are resident owls to keep you company.
More about Lily Pond House
The estate also features a restaurant, The Orangerie, located at the top of the vineyard. Stepping inside feels like walking into the finest Paris has to offer, perfectly encapsulated by the footnote on the menu: “We are not a fine dining restaurant, feel free to eat with your hands.”
The Le Gavroche-trained chef Nicolene Barrow serves classic French cuisine, using the freshest local ingredients, with a modern twist that elevates each dish into something spectacular. After training for two years under Michel Roux Jr. at the two-Michelin-star Le Gavroche in London, Nicolene opened The Orangerie in 2016.
It was clear from our meal that Nicolene’s passion for food, people, and travel has made this one of the country’s finest dining experiences. Every detail that makes a restaurant great is in place: a warm, well-trained serving team, beautiful linens, bespoke menus, fresh flowers, and an excellent wine list that perfectly complements the food.
As Nicolene herself puts it, “The connection with Le Lude extends beyond mere location; it influences our menu through its farm-fresh produce, vineyards, and gardens. Our food is elegant and sophisticated, yet unpretentious.”
We started our meal by tasting three of the estate’s Cap Classique bubblies in the beautiful tasting room next to the restaurant. The space itself is gorgeous, with a lovely outdoor area perfect for sunny days. This is truly a top-notch wine-tasting experience and a must-do when you’re in the area.
Lunch began with a Gruyère soufflé and French onion soup. For the main course, my partner enjoyed mussels steamed in Le Lude Brut, served with gremolata crème and triple-fried pomme neuf chips. I had the sole, served with finely diced fresh greens, crispy fried capers, and a lemon-butter velouté.
The portions were generous and packed with flavour. Naturally, we had to finish with another soufflé, which was light as air and delicious.
Reservations & Opening Hours:
Lunch & Dinner
LUNCH
Tuesday – Sunday: 12h00 – 15h00
Light lunch is served on Mondays
DINNER
Thursday – Saturday: 18h00 – 20h30
(Last seating 20h00)
For more information on bookings for large groups, please email us at restaurant@lelude.co.za
Tea Times
MORNING TEA (Monday – Sunday)
10h00, 10h30, and 11h00
AFTERNOON TEA (Monday – Saturday)
15h00
*I was hosted as a guest at Lily Pond House and The Orangerie. The views in this article are my own.
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