Known as 'Isle de Vie', this third phase of the development follows the sellout success of the river and vineyard phases. It consists of 35 full-title single residential plots priced between R1.6 and R2.85-million each.

The 220 plot first phase of Val de Vie sold out in just two weeks in 2004. The second phase followed suit, with all 150 plots selling prior to the official launch. Previous phase prices ranged between R3- and R4.2-million, making the Isle de Vie plots, which start at R1.6-million, very competitively priced and set to sell like hotcakes.

Situated on the water?s edge ? on an island between the lakes ? the lakefront prime plots are positioned on the highest land within the estate to provide vantage views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards.

Developer Martin Venter says Isle de Vie is one of the most exciting phases on the estate, given the rarity of finding waterfront plots in the heart of a Boland wine farm.

Good value for money
"They are priced more favourably then the other phases because the plots are slightly smaller, but because they are set on the water?s edge this is not a problem. Compared to the prices in the previous phases and other land available in the region, these offer some of region?s current best value for money."

He said highly specialised professionals designed the lakes? perpetual water flow.

"The water is very pure. The upper lakes are reserved for trout fishing, but non-motorised watersport is allowed on the other lakes. Jetties have been designed to extend the plots into the water within design guidelines and a massive investment has gone into landscaping the lakeside and designing aesthetically pleasing bridges and roads."

He said Ilse de Vie has a huge water capacity which can contend with even the worst droughts.

"The Val de Vie estate owns water rights from the Berg River and also has a very high natural water table and strong boreholes. It has no water problems like some of other big estates, which is why we had no problems in receiving development rights."

"A grand country lifestyle"
Leafy, wide open spaces, Rhone producing vineyards and world class polo fields combined with a romantic, colonial style architectural blend, has made Val de Vie the choice of those who appreciate a grand country lifestyle which includes leisure pursuits like trout fishing, horse riding, bird watching and living in nature.

Val de Vie is also unique in that all its residents share in the fruits of a separately owned wine farm operation, from which residents receive a monthly quota of wine produced by the estate. Its wine was judged 3rd out of 280 wine estates for ?Best Red Wine? at Winex last year.

Residents are also able, under the guidance of the resident wine maker, to blend their own 'boutique' wines and bottle these under their own labels for their personal enjoyment or for sale.

Additional benefits include the classic design of the estate themed to emulate the gardens of Versailles and the combination of lakeside living, vineyards, the Berg River and Boland mountains.

"The estate adjoins the Jack Nicklaus designed Pearl Valley and is in close proximity to Boschenmeer golf estates as well as the Sante Spa, adding golf as an optional extra," says Venter.