ZPRC provides owners with exclusive wine estate lifestyle

Source: fractionalownership.co.za

New five-star Zorgvliet Private Residence Club offers vacational ownership perks, including exclusive Zorgvliet Wine Estate living

The Zorgvliet Group, a family enterprise headed up by CEO Mac van der Merwe, was initiated in 2002 with the purchase of Zorgvliet Wine Estate in the Banghoek Valley, in the heart of the Cape Winelands near Stellenbosch. The historic farm with its stately manor (now completely restored to a restaurant), award-winning wines and five-star Vineyard Lodge & Spa, dates back to 1692. Other destinations in the Zorgvliet Group’s portfolio include Ka’Ingo Private Reserve, the luxurious Riviera on Vaal Hotel, and Riviera Country Club, and the King George Hotel. A dedicated hospitality arm, MV Hospitality, has been established to focus on service excellence at the different destinations.

The Zorgvliet Group has now decided to introduce a mixed-use element at all of its destinations. Says Van der Merwe: “After wide-ranging research, a decision was made to set up the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club. This is a vehicle for 4 weeks per year fractional ownership based on real rights of ownership (in perpetuity) to the investor. There is also a model with personal usage rights linked to a pre-arranged time frame, where clients acquire a yearly allocation of 2 weeks for a 3- or 5-year  period.

“Our focus on the five-star lifestyle enables us to offer attractive additional offerings, i.e. experiences and hospitality service levels, and an embedded value for value global exchange agreement. The association between Zorgvliet Private Residence Club and The Registry Collection (www.threregistrycollection.com) global exchange programme ensures access to more than 100 superior resorts in various parts of the world. Exchange is seamless and offers shareholders a financial hedge against future international holiday experiences. They can buy now at today’s prices and exchange later for a stay in top-flight international resorts.”

The Zorgvliet Private Residence Club will offer great benefits geared specifically to each of its exclusive destinations. Zorgvliet Wine Estate is a case in point. Situated between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and associated with its neighbours, Le Pommier and Alluvia, the three entities offer working wine farm experiences which include the signature Zorgvliet Spa, two restaurants, PGA standard golf green and sand trap, picnic facilities, chapel and wedding venues, state of the art wine cellar, fly fishing, wine tasting and scenic flights, mountain hikes and biking.        

Vacation investment opportunities in Zorgvliet vineyard holidays consist of three separate elements, namely:

    Zorgvliet Vineyard Lodge and Spa, a 6-room luxurious boutique hotel;

    The 6-room Le Pommier lodge, restaurant and wine tasting room; and

    Alluvia Boutique Winery and Guesthouse with 9 rooms, some with five-star self-catering facilities.

Explains Van der Merwe: “Investors can now acquire a vineyard lifestyle without the extreme capital involvement that is associated with buying and running of a wine farm! Vacation time and benefits are available through the association of the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club. The Vacation Club option at Zorgvliet is 2 weeks per year in any of the above special vineyard destinations over 3 or 5 years. Members can exchange 50% of their usage at The Registry Collection for global holidays as well.”  

He says his vision is to establish five-star leisure experiences based on diverse South African hospitality offerings. “The fractional ownership model measures up to our brand promise of special experiences for special people. The benefits of membership of the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club are very special indeed – they receive extraordinary benefits associated with supreme wine estate living.” At Zorgvliet Wine Estate membership brings special advantages which include personalised wine tastings, invitation to wine-blending projects, short game golf tuition, arranged hikes to the notorious silver mine in the Simonsberg, golf arrangements and Zorgvliet Privilege Card rewards at the Herenhuis Restaurant. Members are also privileged to receive an annual allocation of personalised wine produced at the Zorgvliet cellar.

Van der Merwe says the fractional ownership industry and related offerings are relatively new to the South African environment. “The Zorgvliet Group and the positioning of the brand are based on value experiences and truthful dealings with all interested parties. As a private company, our reputation is of the utmost importance to the family members and management. The Zorgvliet Private Residence Club will be managed according to rigorous governance. Compliance with legal and industry regulations will be entrenched in the operating methodologies.”

A number of other exclusive, five-star options are to be launched by the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club soon, each supporting the Zorgvliet Group’s vision of becoming a South African brand with an elite local and international following.

Contact Zorgvliet Group’s Mac van der Merwe on 082 268 4559; E-mail: residence@zorgvliet.com. See www.zorgvliet.com

ENDS