Against the backdrop of the majestic Hottentots Holland mountains, and in the heart of the Helderberg in Somerset West, lies Vergelegen wine estate, a treasure trove of heritage, hospitality and horticulture.
This elegant 324-year-old estate, a brief drive from Cape Town, offers something for everyone – whether you’re a gourmet, wine lover, gardening enthusiast or history boffin, or simply want to enjoy a relaxed family lunch in glorious surroundings.
Life slows down as you pass through the ancient gates and traverse a tree-lined avenue, with the shady camphor tree forest on your left and indigenous Nguni cattle on your right, grazing on lush pastures of clover and kikuyu.
At the heart of the vast 3 000-hectare property, which was declared a provincial heritage site in 2019, lies a 60-hectare cultural heritage area. The meticulously restored homestead is furnished with beautiful antiques, blue-and-white porcelain and objets d’art, representing the estate’s French, Cape Dutch, Anglo-Indian and Asian influences over the past three centuries.
The library, a converted wine cellar built in 1816, houses 4 500 books, comprising part of the private collection of former Vergelegen owner Sir Lionel Phillips. Crisp winter mornings and sunny afternoons are the perfect time to view the abundant winter-flowering pink, white and red blooms of Vergelegen’s International Camellia Garden of Excellence. This is the only International Camellia Garden of Excellence in Africa, and one of only 39 in the world. The estate’s remarkable collection of over 1 000 camellia shrubs and trees consists of both locally bred specimens and camellias from as far afield as France, China, Japan and the United States.
Resident horticulturist Richard Arm says the acidic soil, abundant water, and shade provided by trees in summer provide perfect camellia-growing conditions. The oldest Vergelegen camellias are about 100 years old, and the horticultural team has planted many more shrubs over the past two years.
The focus on nature and seasonality extends to hospitality. Visitors enjoy dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients, perfectly paired with the estate’s award-winning wines.
Stables restaurant is a perennial family favourite. Glorious gardens lead to the arboretum, perfect for long walks, with a stunning backdrop of the Hottentots Holland mountains.
The interior showcases the work of South African artists, photographers and ceramicists, with a life-sized horse – superbly crafted from wood foraged from local river beds by artist Francois Marais – forming a striking centrepiece.
The Rose Terrace Tea Room, which offers a delightful escape into a world of floral elegance and delectable treats, is also a charming destination for breakfast, tea and light lunches. Vergelegen recently restored an old farm cottage, exposing ancient wooden beams and a working fireplace, to create a small, enchanting pop-up restaurant named Cabernet & Carne, seating 40 people.
While sipping wine, take a moment to examine your wine bottle, as this venerable estate is about to release a new range of labels to reflect its glorious natural heritage. Images range from the famous homestead camphor trees, declared national monuments in 1942, to the Octagonal Garden, where classic herbaceous borders flank the walkway to the Cape Dutch homestead.
The cooler months are the ideal time to book a tour of the hilltop winery, where nature-driven, classically styled vintages mature slowly in French oak barrels, or to snuggle into a comfy chair in front of a crackling fire in the wine-tasting room, where tubs of indigenous proteas adorn a vast yellow wood table.
Their beautiful pink and red blooms are a reminder of Vergelegen’s commitment to sustainability, from its solar- powered winery to its 1 900-hectare nature reserve, with the same conservation status as the Kruger National Park.
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