Vergenoegd Löw: A Heritage Wine-Farm Destination near Stellenbosch

A serene timelessness is your first impression of the Cape Dutch manor house, werf and farm buildings at Vergenoegd Löw, whether you visit for a wine-tasting, lunch or an overnight stay in the Stellenbosch Winelands. It’s as if time has stood still since 1696 when the farm was founded. The level expanse of regeneratively farmed vines and conserved wetlands between Somerset West and Cape Town has a sleeping-beauty enchantment that the meticulous restoration (since 2015) by Professor Dr DR Löw has preserved, with mature oaks, birdlife on the vlei and distant mountain horizons to rest your eyes upon.

As you explore the werf before lunch, you’re likely to encounter the famous flock of Indian runner ducks settled under an oak tree, on a break from their pest-eating duties among the vines. Or the characterful Australorp chickens pecking in the vegetable garden and (together with the ducks) supplying eggs for the table.

There’s layer upon layer of authentic farm heritage to discover – on your plate too… In 2025 chef Michelle Theron took over as head of gastronomy, reimagining Geuwels and Clara’s Barn (the farm restaurants originally established by chef Bertus Basson) with thoughtful nostalgia and heartfelt farm-to-table flair. “It’s so lovely to get back into classic South African flavours,” she says, “and to be able to do farm-to-table properly… The lamb is from here, the beef is from here – this is what makes my heart happy!” She churns her own butter with cream from San Gabriel Homestead, makes a divine spekboom chutney (among others) and explores fynbos flavours with a sense of adventure.

Here are just a handful of reasons to visit this heritage estate…

Farm lunches at Geuwels

Elegant but relaxed, Geuwels has been completely re-designed as the wine-led heart of the farm. The main dining area looking into the cellar is serene with time-honoured craftsmanship, reclaimed timber, vintage brass, embroidered textiles and natural inks. It’s air-conditioned too, a cool refuge in summer (with a fireplace for winter), and there are outside tables on the werf for when the weather demands alfresco dining.

The bread course of roosterkoek, mosbolletjies, three different butters and salts gives a first taste of the land. On our visit we tucked into starters of rich goose and fig croquettes with spekboom chutney; and hearty beef bone-marrow crostini with battered oysters. Abalobi Cape bream came on the most divine crushed roast potatoes, and the lamb frikkadelle wrapped in cabbage leaves had all the nostalgic feelgood factor of a family roast lunch. The menu is à la carte, so there’s no obligation to go all the way to dessert, but you’d be missing out if you stopped there. We particularly enjoyed the brandy-rich parfait redolent with soaked raisins, creamy maas and buchu, and a delightful subtle apple and chamomile frangipane tart.

Good to know Sunday lunch is served family style with a different nostalgic feast each week and is already gaining a local following.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 11am – 4pm (last orders 3.30pm)
Contact 021 843 3248, [email protected]
Book through DinePlan

Cellar-door tastings

There’s a new tasting deck on the werf under the oak trees, or sit inside the wine lounge at Geuwels as you explore award-winning wines from this distinctive terroir – cool coastal climate, low altitude, and lime-rich soils (not to mention the mixed-farming approach with Dexter cattle as well as the Indian Runner ducks). Harmonious wines of great elegance are the result. Winemaker Vusi Dalicuba’s philosophy is to follow the grapes… and the superb cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay and cap classique vintages are well worth lingering over. Add a charcuterie or cheese platter, a fresh roosterkoek with farm butter, cheese and preserves; or sip a glass of cap classique paired with Heritage Treats, a quintet of sumptuously nostalgic Cape sweets.

Cost R100 (3 white wines)
R120 (3 red wines)
R135 (any 5 wines)
R260 – R540 (tasting platters for 2)
R110 (roosterkoek + preserves)
R260 (glass of cap classique + Heritage Treats)
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Contact 021 843 3248, [email protected]
Book through DinePlan

Indigenous food-and-wine tasting

For a fascinating (and delicious) sensory experience, go for the special Indigenous Tasting, which chef Michelle has expanded with a superb succession of food pairings. As well as sampling local flavours like bokkoms, biltong, dune spinach, mebos and roosterkoek, proceed through seven wines and seven substantial bites: smoky yellowtail and apple chutney roosterkoek with the cap classique; cured Dexter beef and chutney with the merlot; a decadent cheese tart with cabernet sauvignon; not to mention the rich chocolate brownie and spekboom with the port-style Sebastian Cape Vintage. It’s an experience to linger over, designed to awaken the palate, activate taste memories and prime your tastebuds to discover indigenous flavour elements in the wines themselves.

Cost R400 (book 24 hours in advance)
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Contact 021 843 3248, [email protected]
Book through DinePlan

A boutique farm hotel

The serene nature-infused atmosphere of the estate makes it an appealing Winelands base, even more so that it’s only 15 minutes’ drive from Cape Town’s international airport, and perfectly placed for exploring Stellenbosch, Somerset West and beyond. The recently refurbished 1773 Homestead is a serene home-from-home for hotel guests with intimate lounges for reading, conversation and drinks by the fire, a historic kitchen hearth, and a dining area and terrace for leisurely breakfasts. It’s also the setting for a bespoke Caviar and Cap Classique Experience, and the soon-to-be-launched Homestead Farm Tea.

There’s a whole range of luxurious lodgings to choose from with private hot tubs or heated pools, fireplaces and large windows that frame breathtaking views of gardens, vines and mountains:

• 4 ensuite rooms with garden verandahs and jacuzzis at The Farm Lodge, close to the werf
• 4 contemporary Vineyard Suites, each with living area and private plunge pool
• 6 thatched, freestanding, two-bedroom Luxury Cottages, among the vines with private pool deck and lounge
• 1 Presidential Suite, with its own 12x4m pool and sundeck,  jacuzzi and verandah, a dining area for 12 and a spacious lounge
• Owners Villa, with 6 ensuite bedrooms, a large lap pool, deck and entertainment area

CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

A serene spa

The whitewashed stables are home to a soothing spa (also recently revamped) with two cosy couples treatment rooms for restorative massages, the signature hydrating milk bath treatment and a menu of spoils. There’s an adjacent gym and yoga room for hotel guests too.
Contact 064 722 2728
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Coming soon

The centuries-old Clara’s Barn is next in line for a refurbishment and re-opens later in 2026. A characterful and historic space, complete with weathered rafters, oversized barn doors and cobbled stalls, Michelle is planning a creative fine-dining menu that gives plenty of scope for playful creativity and finesse, still with a firm focus on the heritage flavours of the farm, and fine wine from the estate and further afield.

She’s also busy fine-tuning the Caviar and Cap Classique Experience, and dreaming up a lavish Farm Tea (to be served at the Homestead morning or afternoon) filled with savoury and sweet heritage treats.

The minute you arrive at this enchanting estate, time stands still. It’s a place to explore, relax and savour every detail.

Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Contact 021 843 3248, [email protected]
Where to find it 1 Faure Road (off Baden Powell Drive), Somerset West

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