Bartel is a successful farmer and carries the proud agricultural heritage of three generations before him.  His great-grandfather was the first to farm in this valley, but his grandfather was the one to acquire La Plume, the current Du Toit family farm.  By the early 1900’s Bartel’s grandfather already served the community with pioneering farming technology.  This spirit of innovation was enhanced by the introduction of ostrich and vine by Bartel’s father and continues to this day.

Karin loves people and things of beauty and when family circumstances made the homestead available she warmed to the idea of creating a superior hostelry… La Plume Boutique Guest House was born.

In July 1997 Bartel and Karin received their first three guests – they had three rooms, three cats and three children of which the youngest was only 18 months old.  The venture was successful and today La Plume is made up of 19 rooms and suites.

With the fifth generation Du Toits growing up rapidly, Bartel and Karin decided in 2005 to open their graceful Victorian homestead completely for the enjoyment of visitors to Oudtshoorn, one of South Africa’s “must sees”.

Bartel and Karin, together with the children and their team, steered La Plume to an award winning, accredited guest house offering refined and exceptional country style living.

Now Bartel and Karin await the return of their children to join the family business:  Matthys is working as a Mechanical Engineer and also the Marketing and Brand Manager of La Plume, Lize-Jeanne is working as a Biokineticist and Luther is a Chartered Accountant.