Tuesday, 21 November, 2023
Vergenoegd Löw
Drawing of Vergenoegd Löw by Jan Brandes, 1786
Dating back to 1696, this is one of South Africa’s most intact and authentic old wine farms, where beautifully restored heritage buildings tell the story of some remarkable owners over the centuries, from the Colijns of Constantia wine fame (1740-1782) to six generations of Faures (1820-2015).
It is also one of Stellenbosch’s most uniquely situated farms, nestled on an ancient seabed less than five kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean. In the Cape Floristic Region, the smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms, this is where Swartland Shale Renosterveld meets Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, around the wetlands of the Eerste River estuary. This makes it an area of extraordinarily high biodiversity.
In 2015, Vergenoegd was acquired by German lawyer and entrepreneur Peter Löw, chief-curator of the European Heritage Project. Although the estate had fallen into a state of disrepair, he decided to purchase it for two main reasons: its rich heritage and its potential to produce phenomenal wines.
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