“In all things of nature there is something of
the marvellous.” - Aristotle
Vergelegen has over 300 years of rich history, and one
dominated during the previous century by just three owners. As one of the
earliest additions to the new wave of wineries, and especially because of its
context on such an historic estate, Vergelegen’s modern winery has been a sign
of things to come in wine estate architecture. The Randlord Sir Lionel Phillips
and his wife Lady Florence Phillips set the tone for the estate’s development
to its current state. The Barlow family continued this tradition from 1941
until 1987, when Anglo American purchased the estate large investments were
made in land rehabilitation, viticulture and facilities. This included the
multilevel winery that sits atop a hill at the foot of the Hottentots Holland
mountain range.
Burying
the structure in the hilltop not only made a gravity-flow process possible, it
also minimized the visual impact of the structure on the landscape. The rooftop
of the wine cellar is densely planted on either side with indigenous proteas.
From here there is a wraparound and uninterrupted view over the dramatic Helderberg
and Hottentots Holland mountains to False Bay.
Other
public areas are housed lower down the slopes in historical thatched buildings.
There
is so much on the go for locals and tourists alike to get involved and enjoy at
this great estate. It has something to offer everyone, from barrel tastings, environmental
walks, full moon vineyard tours, wining and dining and even forest picnics.
Vergelegen
Estate
Lourensford
Road, Somerset West
Phone
+27 21 847 1334
