Evaluation: Vergenoegd Löw, Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands, South Africa

With over 700 vineyards inside of a two-hour power of Cape The town, deciding which one to seek advice from can pose a problem. Thankfully, the property closest to Cape The town’s airport is a vacation spot in its personal proper – and after visiting two times, it’s time to percentage this hidden gem.

The welcome

Using throughout the gates of Vergenoegd Löw invokes a palpable anticipation of leaving at the back of lifestyles’s stresses and embracing the joy of what lies forward. Following the indicators to the resort, a sliding gate opens forward, with a porter greeting you on the automotive, able to help together with your baggage. On the resort reception, the body of workers endured the nice and cozy welcome, providing a refreshing towel that will help you cool off.

After finishing the vital forms, we have been escorted right into a golfing cart, and our adventure started, meandering throughout the property. As we handed the resort and the landlord’s villa – together with a herd of Dexter farm animals grazing within the fields – we noticed the row of white-washed Cape Dutch-style cottages, one in all which might be our house for the following 3 days.

The room

The property options six freestanding, two-bedroom luxurious cottages, and strolling around the entrance veranda was once a lovely revel in. Stepping within, we have been welcomed by means of a living room with a wood-burning hearth and a eating desk. As a continuation of the nice and cozy welcome, our porter poured us glasses of Cap Classique. That is ceaselessly served in resort receptions, the place I occasionally really feel burdened to complete it instantly, however being served in our living room felt each suave and homely.

From the central living room, two equivalent bedrooms lengthen outwards, each with invitingly relaxed king beds – embellished with a number of pillows for many who experience making a napping nest – and main via sliding doorways to the out of doors veranda.

The out of doors area is without difficulty designed for rest: the generously sized heated pool invitations lounging, and an outside bathe gives each heat and funky water after a swim. Secluded from the remainder of the farm, the cottages boast a tranquil surroundings, surrounded by means of manicured gardens, with the Stellenbosch mountains within the distance.

Vergenoegd Löw additionally gives a superbly boutique Farm Hotel, the place I stayed all through my first seek advice from. Every of the Deluxe Hotel Rooms is a spacious 40m² and lines its personal non-public deck with a jacuzzi and out of doors furnishings – and all of the farm’s amenities are only a brief stroll away.

Finally, the beautiful proprietor’s villa is to be had for selective remains – a contemporary and custom-designed house that includes six en-suite bedrooms. There are 4 Winery suites within the courtyard, every with its personal heated pool, which may also be rented out for small teams of pals or circle of relatives looking for seclusion. There’s additionally an outstanding presidential slightly – a favourites for marriage ceremony {couples}!

The toilet

Returning to our luxurious cottage, each bedrooms result in massive bogs with walk-in showers and freestanding bathtubs. As a widespread traveller in South Africa, I’m all the time curious concerning the supplied facilities – and I felt a sigh of reduction at Vergenoegd Löw upon recognizing the acquainted Therapeutic Earth labels, a top rate African spa logo.

The positioning

Vergenoegd Löw couldn’t be extra comfortably positioned – being the nearest property to Cape The town’s airport, which is a trifling 20-minute power away. Town itself is best two times that distance – however make no mistake, the property nonetheless embodies the spirit of the Winelands, providing you with a way of get away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. Whilst probably the most lodging could also be new, the farm’s historical past strains again to the early days of the Cape.

One notable instance is the tale of Dutch Lutheran minister and artist Jan Brandes, who visited the farm in 1786 and created intensive art work of each structures and botany, that have guided present groups aiming to honour the farm’s heritage. A few of his works are featured within the prestigious Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, with reproductions on show in Clara’s Barn.

The amenities

With such a lot of actions on be offering at Vergenoegd Löw, you in truth received’t need to depart – which means that you’ll indulge within the farm’s 3 culinary choices. At first, Clara’s Barn is firmly positioned in my most sensible 4 South African eating places. It’s an revel in that completely hits the mark for nice eating, providing natural epicurean ecstasy from the 11-course choices to the breath-taking interiors, all paired with property wines – tucked away in a serene enclave of the farm.

Secondly, within the farm’s central courtyard (and lovely indoor rooms), informal eating is served up within the morning and at midday at Geuwels. Resort visitors experience breakfast right here, that includes tasty South African twists like ‘die soutie’ complete breakfast and the ‘regmakertjie’ for the ones affected by ultimate night time’s indulgences.

Finally, with in-room eating, you’ll experience no-frills delights delivered for your door – whether or not by means of the pool, within the eating room, or my private favorite – in mattress! There are few issues I relish greater than sinking my tooth right into a burger in mattress whilst staring at the newest Netflix providing.

Then in all probability saving the most productive for ultimate, naturally Vergenoegd Löw gives top rate wine. We had the privilege of spending a little bit time with the captivating winemaker Vusi Dalicuba, who walked us throughout the wines. Vusi Dalicuba has been on the helm since 2021, having prior to now labored at a number of famend wineries. In an international the place there are nonetheless few Xhosa winemakers, he has very proudly made his mark. 

From the fabulously contemporary tropical and Sauvignon Blanc, superbly fruit-wood balanced Chardonnay, lighter however chic Shiraz to the seductive cool local weather Cabernet. The wines are easiest loved over the Indigenous Tasting at the veranda or tremendous trendy rooms of the Manor Space. They’re served with a bunch of favorite South African nibbles – moderately than dictating the pairing you’re left to discover your personal mouthwatering style mixtures.

Different great touches

Along with the art work and drawings, the property additionally boasts an outstanding sculpture assortment. The Artwork Stroll is a self-guided or lead excursion taking within the remarkable items, which come with a number of from celebrated South African artists Dylan Lewis and Manuela Holzer.

Strolling the excursion takes you previous the tranquil surroundings of the lake; with the Eerste Rivier operating throughout the assets, there may be never-ending water with canals retaining the gardens and vineyards well-watered. Subsequent at the stroll is the serene Valentina’s Chapel, seating as much as 120 other people for weddings and critical ceremonies. The chapel is flanked by means of each a labyrinth and a maze, which give a little bit leisure pre or publish your seek advice from to the chapel.

The price

The resort rooms get started at R7200 for 2 visitors, the winery suites at R9200, after which the cottages at R13200 for 4 adults. The landlord’s villa is to be had on selective says, with the fee on request. All lodging is inclusive of a welcome drink, fruit basket within the room, one complimentary wine tasting on the Vergenoegd Löw tasting room in keeping with keep, a restricted minibar after which day-to-day breakfast.

The most productive bit

Point out the farm’s identify and ceaselessly you’ll listen one thing alongside the traces of “Ah, the farm with the geese!” The lovely Indian Runner geese have turn into the farm’s mascots – a staggering 1000 of them name the farm house, and two times day-to-day they may be able to be noticed elegantly marching around the lawns: on their strategy to and from an afternoon’s tasks of foraging and natural pest keep an eye on.

The general verdict

Finally that, you’ll see why I take advantage of the phrase vacation spot to explain Vergenoegd Löw – in the event you concept it was once near to wine tasting or geese then they’re lacking out. After two remains, the farm already seems like house – and with the shut distance to Cape The town itself, why no longer have an additional house across the nook?

Disclosure: Our keep was once backed by means of Vergenoegd Löw.

Jared Ruttenberg

Jared Ruttenberg is a shuttle author from Cape The town, South Africa. He enjoys connecting other people and reports via phrases, photographs and social media.