This Heritage Month, immerse yourself in the unique stories and experiences of Vergenoegd Löw, one of South Africa's oldest working farms, established in 1696.
Under the ownership of noted German historian and heritage specialist Prof. Dr. Dr. Peter Löw since 2015, this Stellenbosch estate cherishes its proud history and traditions while continuously innovating towards a prosperous future, and a world-class destination for visitors. Sustainability is a key principle in all their endeavours.
“We take a progressive and adaptive approach to conservation,” says Corius Visser, the estate’s managing director. “There are many traditions we respect and maintain because they help us to leave the lightest imprint on the land. But we also adopt new thinking and new technology to enhance our eco-sustainability.”
From its regenerative mixed-crop and animal farming to its 18th-century Cape Dutch architecture, tranquil indigenous gardens, walking trails, and wining and dining traditions, the estate offers a host of experiences for those who cherish preserving and celebrating history.
“At Vergenoegd Löw, we appreciate delving into and sharing the many fascinating chapters in the tale of this farm, spanning nearly 330 years,” Corius explains.
“In 1696, this farm was founded by Pieter de Vos, granted to him by the then-governing Dutch East India Company. It’s a very significant date, as it records officially when farming and viticulture began on our estate, less than 40 years after wine was made at the Cape for the first time in 1659.”
The DEIC established a refreshment station at the Cape for trading ships on the Spice Route between Europe and the Far East. By the end of the 17th century, they released some employees from service to establish their own farms to meet the growing need for provisions.
De Vos, enchanted by his new home, named the farm Vergenoegd, meaning "contented."
Vergenoegd became a significant wine producer by the mid-1700s when Ferdinand Appel succeeded Pieter de Vos and increased plantings to 25,000 vines. His daughter, Johanna Appel, married Johannes Colijn, who owned vineyards in Constantia.
“There’s a compelling theory presented by wine historian Joanne Gibson that Colijn, along with other Constantia wine producers, may have sourced grapes through family ties from non-Constantia farms like Vergenoegd and neighbours to create their internationally famous Constantia wines,” Corius states.
Joanne, author of Reds, Racehorse and Runner Ducks, a comprehensive book on Vergenoegd Löw’s rich history, writes of multiple documented opinions during the 18th century claiming that far more wine was being sold as Constantia wine than the Constantia vineyards could possibly have produced at the time.
In 1782, the farm was sold to Johan Georg Lochner. For almost a year, between 1786 and 1787, he hosted the artist Jan Brandes who documented life on the farm in his art.
“These pictorial records would later become a crucial source of information for the team tasked with restoring our historic buildings and indigenous gardens,” Visser says, referring to the recent upgrade of the farm.
Among the works are three panoramas of Vergenoegd depicting the buildings and farming activities of the time. The one featuring the homestead has been an invaluable reference work for the architectural restorers. Other pictures of local birds and plant life are important references for the team rehabilitating parts of the farm to indigenous habitat.
Many of the works he created while on the farm are now housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and some reproductions from his large collection can be seen on the estate.
After changing hands several times, the Faure family took over custodianship of the farm in 1820. They farmed here for almost two centuries over six generations, before selling to current owner Prof Dr Dr Löw, who is also the chief curator of the European Heritage Project (EHP).
“They were responsible for many advances over almost two centuries in charge, including establishing Vergenoegd's reputation as a pre-eminent producer of Cabernet Sauvignon. Moreover, previous owner John Faure laid a strong foundation for conservation work on the farm and continues to play an active role in this regard.”
It was fifth generation Jac Faure who established Vergenoegd’s status for outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. He went on to win the General Smuts Trophy many times, beginning in 1972.
Jac’s son, John, became the sixth-generation owner. He brought many innovations of his own, including the introduction of the Indian Runner ducks as part of the farm’s integrated pest-management programme. John still breeds the ducks and manages them on the farm. He has and continues to play another key role by re-introducing indigenous bird species to the farm. Thanks to his active conservation work, the current team has had a strong basis from which to continue.
Most of the Vergenoegd farm complex was declared a National Heritage site in 1974.
When Prof Dr Dr Peter Löw acquired the farm and initiated an extensive revitalisation programme, he successfully reclaimed the estate's reputation as a sought-after heritage destination. Under his leadership, Vergenoegd Löw now offers top-class wines, a variety of interactive wine tasting options, two highly-rated restaurants, expansive indigenous gardens, walking and cycling trails plus a luxury boutique hotel and spa.
The farm’s complimentary Heritage Tour allows visitors to dive deeper into the fascinating landmarks and stories of this important heritage site. Highlights on the tour include the finely restored homestead with its impressive 18th century Cape Dutch features. The famous Indian Runner ducks’ waddle across the werf is another major attraction. They and the Dexter cattle that eat the weeds, keep pests away and fertilise the soils naturally. It forms part of the farm’s integrated crop management.
The tour also features Vergenoegd Löw’s beautiful indigenous gardens where you’ll encounter the bronze sculptures of leading South African artist Dylan Lewis. Conceived as a bridge linking history, architecture and landscape, they show a melding of human with animal forms in the spirit of optimism as we seek to redefine humanity’s relationship with nature. “For us, these sculptures signify renewal and hope. They are a constant reminder that we must find balance as we farm alongside nature, not against it,” Visser clarifies.
Then visit its rehabilitated wetlands area that shows their commitment to biodiversity and have earned them sought-after WWF Conservation Champion status.
A visit to at least one of the two restaurants on the estate (the second one, the casual eatery Geuwels) is a must when visiting Vergenoegd Löw, and will revive your senses like the budding vines springing to life this season. With celebrated chefs Bertus Basson and Drikus Brink at the helm of both establishments, the focus is on modern, exquisitely presented heritage cuisine which celebrates our diverse cultural influences.
Taste their culinary craft this September, when they, along with South African food personality Errieda du Toit, present special menus celebrating Cape heritage flavours.
The Geuwels menu features a variety of exciting heritage dishes inspired by Errieda’s cookbook, SAAM, such as Marmite & Huguenot cheese tart with chives, shaved pickled ox tongue with sweet mustard, venison bobotie jaffle with gestoofde vrugte, Vergenoegd uitpakslaai, ystervarkies (rice-and-meatballs) in tomato smoor, sweet potato cinnamon rolls with orange glaze and macadamia nuts, chutney chicken bake, and Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants dry-aged beef with chermoula.
Clara’s Barn is concluding Heritage Month on 29 September from 11:30, with a talk by Bertus and Errieda, followed by a traditional Sunday lunch with a feast of heritage dishes from Errieda’s SAAM.
Whilst at the farm, visit the Vergenoegd Löw Homestead Wine Lounge, in the restored manor, and sample the collections of wines, including its Michelangelo trophy-winning Merlot 2022, in a luxurious, tranquil environment. You’ll be well looked after by resident sommelier George Young, recently announced SA’s Best Young Sommelier of 2024.
Whatever piques your interest and delights your soul, there is something for everyone to discover this Heritage Month at Vergenoegd Löw - Stellenbosch's cool, low-lying haven of luxury close to the ocean. Here living history, art, hospitality and a synergy with nature combine to create a true state of contentment.
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