Vergelegen

When Willem Adriaan succeeded his father, Simon van der Stel, as governor of the Cape in 1700, it didn't take long before he claimed a modest 30,000 hectare piece of land for himself just as his father had done in his time at Constantia. It took three days by ox-wagon to reach Willem Adriaan's farm on the slopes of the Hottentots Holland mountain range overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; hence its name 'Vergelegen', meaning 'situated far away'.

The first vines were planted at Vergelegen in 1700 by founder Willem Adriaan van der Stel and included varieties such as 'blue muscadel', 'steendruif' (chenin blanc), white muscadel and frontignan.  Vineyards also flourished under the Theunissen family's tenure between 1798 and 1899. In the 20th century there were sporadic plantings by various owners, the last of these vines being removed in 1962. The soils of Vergelegen lay fallow until 1987 ...

The Vergelegen cellar, opened in 1992,  has a Cape aesthetic classic base, yet incorporates a freshness that sets new standards and also complements the longevity of the property’s heritage. Situated high on a hill, the octagonal structure, the shape of which mirrors the octagonal walled garden laid out by Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700, offers sweeping views of the property and the surrounding areas, as well as False Bay with Table Mount...