{"id":861736,"date":"2026-05-28T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=861736"},"modified":"2026-05-28T09:31:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T07:31:58","slug":"the-private-lifestyle-estate-in-south-africa-that-has-just-been-named-among-the-best-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/property\/861736\/the-private-lifestyle-estate-in-south-africa-that-has-just-been-named-among-the-best-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"The private lifestyle estate in South Africa named among the best in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The ultra-luxury Val de Vie Estate has been included in the list of the top 15 wellness real estate developments in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is the only estate from Africa to be featured in the Global Wellness Institute\u2019s 2026 Wellness Real Estate Atlas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Global Wellness Institute is a US-based non-profit organisation recognised as a leading authority on the &#8220;Wellness Economy.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The atlas groups the top 15 estates.  Val de Vie Estate&#8217;s luxury retirement community, Val de Vie Evergreen Lifestyle, was listed in the second tier, which featured 31 international estates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The top 15 estates in the world include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AMAALA Residences, Triple Bay \u2013 Saudi Arabia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Babcock Ranch \u2013 United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Canyon Ranch Austin \u2013 United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dhun Jaipur \u2013 India<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fox Point Farms \u2013 United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gelephu Mindfulness City \u2013 Bhutan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indigo Community \u2013 United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lake Nona \u2013 United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Palmetto Bluff \u2013 United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rancho Mission Viejo \u2013 United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serenbe \u2013 United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sunbridge \u2013 United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Residences at Rancho La Puerta \u2013 Mexico<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Zibi \u2013 Canada<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Val de Vie Estate \u2013 South Africa<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The wellness economy, which aims to support physical, mental and emotional well-being, has expanded rapidly in recent years and is now valued at $876 billion globally<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The recognition 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,&#8221; said <a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/817915\/business-talk-ryk-neethling-unpacks-the-latest-developments-at-the-val-de-vie-evergreen-luxury-retirement-village\/\">Ryk Neethling from Val de Vie. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rankings from the Global Wellness Institute with regard to the best wellness estates are based on six categories of wellness: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Physical wellness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mental and emotional wellness <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social wellness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Environmental wellness <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community or civic wellness  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Economic wellness <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to economics, Val de Vie Estate is considered one of the priciest in South Africa, with properties currently listed at up to R100 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Close to 30% of all property taxes <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Val-de-Vie.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Val-de-Vie-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-805698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Val-de-Vie-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Val-de-Vie-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Val-de-Vie-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Val-de-Vie.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The estate has now become part of the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, and has added billions in investment and thousands of jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research by Dr Jonathan Bloom shows that the construction of the Val de Vie Estate and Pearl Valley Golf &amp; Country Estate contributed R14 billion to the Western Cape economy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The estates also contributed R36.6 billion in new business sales and created 51,000 jobs.&nbsp;The estates also generate significant tax revenue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bloom&#8217;s research showed that close to 30% of all property taxes in the Drakenstein Municipality are contributed by Val de Vie and Pearl Valley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This means that almost one in every three Rand collected in rates is generated by these three developments,&#8221; said the estate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This has direct implications for municipal capacity, service delivery and long-term financial resilience.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The estate&#8217;s history dates back to 2001 when founder and CEO Martin Venter flew over the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley and saw the ideal location alongside the Berg River for his family home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The land was previously a run-down wine farm that was founded by Abraham Andries le Roux in 1783. The land was then bought in 2003. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>R450 million of infrastructure development started in 2004, with the first properties sold that year. The first home was completed in 2007, with the Polo Pavilion then finished in 2008. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Translated from French, Val de Vie means the &#8220;Valley of Life,&#8221; which echoes the estate&#8217;s location nestled between the Drakenstein and Simonsberg mountains<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It boasts an ample natural water supply and enjoys a Mediterranean climate. The estate aims to blend country living with modern amenities, including schools and easy access to international airports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;What started out as a polo and wine estate, evolved into a lifestyle estate and is today a leader in wellness estates,&#8221; it said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Val de Vie Photos <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861748\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-56.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-56-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-56-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-56-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-56-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-56-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-56.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-11.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-11-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-11-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-11-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-11-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-11-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-11.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-10.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-10-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-10-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-10-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-10-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-10-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-10.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-9.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-9-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-9-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-9-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-9-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-9-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-9.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-8.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-8-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-8-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-8-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-8-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-8-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-8.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-7.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-7-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-7-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-7-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-7-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-7-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-7.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-5.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-5-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-5-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-5-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-5-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-5-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-5.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-4.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-4-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-4-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-4-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-4-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-4-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-4.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-3.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-3-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-861739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-3-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/val-de-vie-3.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Val de Vie has been named among the best estates in the world by the US-based Global Wellness Institute. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":861738,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12755],"tags":[25501,17895],"class_list":["post-861736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-property","tag-global-wellness-institute","tag-val-de-vie"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=861736"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861736\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":861767,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861736\/revisions\/861767"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/861738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=861736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=861736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=861736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}