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The most beautiful estate in South Africa
Vergelegen wine estate
Vergelegen wine estate
© South African Tourism
Did you know?
Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela are among those who have visited Vergelegen Wine Estate
The respected Wine magazine has consistently voted Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West as the best winery in South Africa.
‘I saw this place with exceptional pleasure, since everything there was laid out wonderfully finely,' wrote Reverend Francois Valentijn in 1700.
Valentijn was commenting on Vergelegen, meaning ‘situated far away', after it had been acquired and developed by the son of Simon van der Stel, Willem Adriaan, who was then governor of the Cape. The Cape Dutch house was so big and opulent that it incurred the wrath of the Free Burghers of the colony, leading to the recall of the governor to Holland in 1708.
What so impressed the priest about this Somerset West wine estate was that the uncultivated land had rapidly been transformed by extensive planting of vineyards, fruit orchards, and majestic Chinese camphor and oak trees.
Five of the camphor trees at the entrance to the manor house at Vergelegen wine estate have been documented as the oldest living trees on the sub-continent and were declared a national monument in 1942.
When purchased by Anglo American Farms in 1987, the mansion at this estate in the Somerset West winelands was extensively refurbished and decorated with early Cape furniture that told of its 300-year existence.
The magnificent gardens have also been restored. There are the heady perfumes from the Rose Garden, brilliant colours of the North Garden and scents of the Margaret Roberts Herb Garden. Since 1994 the estate, as befits its reputation, has been visited by the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela and Hillary Clinton.
And then there are the wines. The flagship Bordeaux-style red has twice won the prestigious Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de la Lande trophy at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. The estate has also twice won the annual Best of Wine Tourism Award.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
For further information contact the Vergelegen Wine Estate on +27 (0) 21 847 1334 or visit their website at www.vergelegen.co.za.
How to get here
Vergelegen Wine Estate is easily accessible by road: take the Stellenbosch exit from the N2 out of Cape Town and follow the signposts.
Get around
Best to have your own transport so you can drive at leisure through the beautiful Somerset West winelands.
What will it cost
Wine tasting is R30 for 6 wines or R10 each for the flagship reds. Cellar tours, which include a tasting, are R30 a head.
Length of stay
A half to full day is perfect.
What to pack
Comfortable clothes and walking shoes. In summer, it can be very hot so dress accordingly. Winters are chilly and wet, so warm clothes and a raincoat are advisable.
Where to stay
Cape Town and Somerset West have numerous quality establishments from budget B&Bs to award-winning hotels.
What to eat
The Lady Phillips Restaurant, on the grounds of the Vergelegen Wine Estate, is excellent and they also offer picnic baskets to be enjoyed under the historic camphor trees.
What's happening
There are regular special events at Vergelegen Wine Estate, so visit their website for regular updates.
Best buys
The estate's wine, of course.