Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Klein Drakenstein mountains in Paarl, Brookdale Estate is as unexpected as she is enchanting. Hugged by the tranquil valley and surrounded by natural beauty, Brookdale Estate offers some of the region’s most innovative wine creations. At once a sprawling country estate with a Manor House overlooking manicured indigenous gardens, wild fynbos, dipping valleys and towering hills, Brookdale is also a working wine farm where imagination meets skill.

A true Cinderella story, Brookdale was once overgrown and underused. The Rudd family saw the enormous potential of the property and acquired the estate ​with a clear vision in mind – to create a world-class country estate producing fine wines and interesting blends created from unusual varietals for South Africa. Before the vines could be planted, alien vegetation needed to be cleared and the balance of nature restored. The Rudd family successfully cleared the 80 hectares of land, saved a block of Chenin Blanc that would become its maiden release, and planted the remaining 53 hectares with indigenous vegetation and gardens for guests of the Manor House to explore.

Ardent wine connoisseurs, Brookdale Estate is the pinnacle of the Rudd family’s passion. Here, Mediterranean varietals, a unique Paarl terroir and unusual winemaking techniques are brought together under the visionary hand of Tim Rudd, the owner, and winemaker Kiara Scott.

Brookdale Estate is also home to an elegant Manor House with sprawling gardens, a soon-to-be established restaurant and tasting lounge, and a natural paradise of indigenous vegetation. Since the Rudd family began their stewardship of Brookdale Estate, the valleys have been re-planted with 3600 indigenous trees, and mountain slopes have been re-seeded with wild Cape fynbos and flowers. With a small, well-trained team and a careful approach to land use and sustainability, bird and animal life remain rich and abundant. Every season brings different moods, different hues and different creatures.

Brookdale Estate is also home to a Tasting Room, Bistro and new state-of-the-art Wine Cellar, which overlooks a portion of the vineyards. Set on gentle slopes amongst our vineyards, The Bistro gazes across new vines and the mountainous landscape of our valley in the Paarl Winelands. Here, in this pastoral paradise, menus will move to nature's rhythms under the culinary wisdom of Executive Chef, Gary Coetzee. Within the Tasting Room, guests can discover more about the Brookdale and Mason Road Wines, ask questions, learning about our vines and wine philosophy and sample our terroir-driven vintages.