Property

Top South African residential estate named one of the best in the world

Kirsten Minnaar • 28 May 2026

Val de Vie Estate in Paarl, Western Cape, has recently been named among the top wellness real estate developments in the world, earning a spot in the Global Wellness Institute’s 2026 Wellness Real Estate Atlas.

Widely considered to be one of the top estates in South Africa, with several properties on the market for over R70 million, Val de Vie has now received international recognition.

The luxury estate was included in the publication’s top-tier category of 15 global projects described as “models for the field”, making it the only African development to receive recognition at this level.

Val de Vie Evergreen Lifestyle, the estate’s luxury retirement village, was also recognised in the Atlas’ second tier, which featured 31 international developments.

The Global Wellness Institute is a United States-based non-profit organisation regarded as a leading authority on the global wellness economy.

This rapidly growing sector focuses on industries and markets that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The Atlas evaluates developments against the Institute’s six-pillar Wellness Communities & Real Estate Initiative (WCREI) framework, which considers social, physical, mental, environmental, economic, and civic wellness.

According to the report, projects included in the top tier demonstrate “deep evidence across most WCREI domains and a clearly intentional wellness vision”.

Val de Vie Estate’s Marketing and Brand Director, Ryk Neethling, said the recognition highlights the growing importance of wellness-focused residential developments in South Africa.

“The recognition is a great honour, yes, but it actually points to something often underestimated in South Africa – the role that estates play not only in shaping healthy and fulfilling living, but also in driving economic activity,” he said.

“The popularity of wellness estates such as Val de Vie Estate makes them economic engines that contribute to regional growth, infrastructure investment, and municipal sustainability.”

Val de Vie

Located in the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, Val de Vie Estate spans 917 hectares and was developed by founder Martin Venter from a former wine farm acquired in 2003.

The estate has become one of South Africa’s most prominent lifestyle developments, combining residential living with wellness-focused infrastructure and extensive recreational amenities.

Notably, the Atlas described Val de Vie as “one of the most comprehensive private wellness estates in Africa”.

It specifically highlighted its “explicit six-pillar wellness philosophy, extraordinary physical infrastructure, multigenerational design, and genuine community philanthropy”.

The report also noted that the estate’s own wellness positioning closely mirrors the WCREI framework, with Val de Vie branding itself as “a world leader in luxury wellness estates”.

The Atlas explained that, at this estate, “mental, physical, social, community, environmental and economic well-being are actively encouraged”.

Among the estate’s standout features are three wellness and lifestyle centres, a 1,000-square-metre gym and wellness facility known as The Yard.

It also has Olympic-length swimming pools, polo fields, equestrian facilities, a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, multiple restaurants, a spa and 42 kilometres of walking and cycling trails.

The estate also scored highly for its social and community-focused design, with the report pointing to its multigenerational layout.

Family neighbourhoods, equestrian facilities and the Val de Vie Evergreen retirement village are integrated into a broader lifestyle community.

Environmental sustainability was another key factor behind the estate’s recognition. According to the Atlas, the development transformed a former sand quarry and wine farm through extensive ecological restoration.

Biodiversity conservation, smart water systems and dedicated environmental management all form part of the estate’s long-term strategy.

Val de Vie’s contribution to the broader Paarl-Franschhoek region was also noted in the ranking. Independent economic research by Dr Jonathan Bloom showed the significant impact of the construction of Val de Vie Estate and Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate.

He found that the construction contributed R14 billion to the Western Cape economy, generated R36.6 billion in business sales and created 51,000 sustainable jobs.

The same research found that Val de Vie Estate, Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate and Boschenmeer collectively account for nearly 30% of all property tax revenue collected by the Drakenstein Municipality.

The Atlas further noted the role of the Val de Vie Foundation, which has invested more than R50 million in surrounding communities over the past nine years through education, entrepreneurship, and upliftment initiatives.

Ultimately, the report found that Val de Vie Estate stood out for integrating wellness into nearly every aspect of daily living.

These range from physical activity and social interaction to environmental stewardship, economic sustainability, and community participation.