Peter and Caroline Thorpe have created a family homestead that combines tradition and modernity – much like the award winning wines they produce at Bramon Wine Estate in Plettenberg Bay Peter and Caroline Thorpe's three-bedroom home has the intimate cosiness of a cottage, but the array of fine heirlooms and beautiful things means there's no way you get an impression of country-scruff. Which is ironic, because the house is built deep in the heart of the Bramon Wine Estate vineyards, with acres of green at its back and a dramatic gorge - complete with a 65m waterfall - in front.Bramon is named after the couple's children - Bram and Manon - and the story of the Plettenberg Bay vineyards has already become the stuff of local legend. Peter, an ichthyologist, and Caroline, a graphic designer, met and fell in love 21 years ago. They lived in the Cape, Grahamstown and even New York for a time before deciding to settle in Plettenberg Bay, where Caroline's parents were already based.story_article_left1"We walked through the land," says Peter. "It was entirely covered in wattle, but when we saw this incredible waterfall, we thought 'This is it!'" Ten years later, Bramon is a thriving wine estate, winning awards and selling internationally - a pioneer of Plett's growing wine route. The estate is just over 16ha in size and there's a restaurant (which requires advance bookings to get into in season) plus the biggest cellar in the region.The H-shaped family homestead is painted black and sits square between the civilised taming of the land, with vines to the back, and full-throttle wild nature - in the form of that thundering cascade of water - to the front. "We didn't have anyone help us design the house," says Caroline, who, with Peter, is fully involved in the day-to-day running of the estate. "It evolved from the way we live. We're very much about family and home, and I love entertaining. I like to keep things simple as our lives are so busy and full; it really takes a load off coming back to a serene space," she adds.The double front doors open straight onto an open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen area, which features exposed high-beam cathedral ceilings and sliding doors that run the length of the house. With fireplaces at either end, a 16-seater dining table and animal hides thrown casually over the backs of chairs, this large room - the heart of the house - feels like a modern great hall. Through the sliding doors to the exterior is an expansive wooden deck, which is mounted on the side of the waterfall's gorge. Reminiscent of the architecture of bush lodges (it also has a unique soundtrack) this is a place for either cocktails or contemplation.Peter is the cook, and he creates exotic dishes that require a scientific mind - and plenty of patience. A lovingly illustrated, leather-covered "Merlin's book" sits to the left of the kitchen's open hearth, and inside are recipes for venison potjie, Flanders steaks, perlemoen and Greek avgolemono.full_story_image_vleft1In addition to the obvious love of entertaining that is evidenced by the retro drinks trolleys, the cupboards of cut glasses and the enormous basket filled with what must be thousands of Bramon bubbly corks, there's also an utterly unpretentious atmosphere here. "I trust Caroline entirely when it comes to design," says Peter.story_article_right2Asked to explain her unique sense of style, Caroline says: "I try to create and recycle as much as possible out of what we have on the farm. It could be wooden pallets used for furniture and frames, or a neglected piece of wood that looks quite beautiful with a couple of hooks in it and a skull hanging off it. I love good, natural fabrics and am a great fan of Mungo linen. And then plants are incredibly important to me, too. Green is the colour of life and I like to integrate plants as much as possible into our lives."The large windows don't leave an enormous amount of wall space for artworks, but wherever there is room there are portraits of the children and sensitive naturalist pieces. "We come from families of teachers and creative minds and our friends are like-minded, so we have a lot of their artworks on the wall as well as mine," says Caroline. "I love originals and would rather go without than settle or 'make do' - and that applies to all things."For more information, visit bramonwines.co.za..