HERITAGE DAY: Heritage celebrated at Vergenoegd Löw

Staff Reporter|Published 5 months ago

One of the historic buildings on the estate.

Visitors to the estate can walk about and take in the history.

The Indian runner ducks are a firm favourite, walking across the werf every day.

Immerse yourself in the unique stories and tastes of Vergenoegd Löw, one of South Africa's oldest working farms, established in 1696.

Recently revitalised, thanks to the investment of German historian and heritage specialist Prof Dr Dr Peter Löw, this Stellenbosch estate now operates as an intimate wine tourist destination in an authentic, self-sustaining farm environment that honours the past but presents its rich Cape Dutch heritage in a contemporary way.

Rich in natural beauty, the tranquil setting offers visitors the opportunity and space to relax, refresh and reset in luxury and privacy with a range of fine boutique hospitality, wine, culinary and spa experiences.

Try the Heritage menu at Geuwels, where Chef Drikus Brink from the estate’s casual eatery, Geuwels (Gables) is serving up a range of small plates inspired by the culinary artistry of the doyenne of South African cuisine, Errieda du Toit.

Priced at R375 per person for seven small plates to share, the menu features a variety of exciting heritage dishes inspired by Errieda’s cookbook, SAAM, including 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.

On Sunday September 29, join in the fun of the culmination of Heritage Month at Clara’s Barn, housed in what in all probability is the oldest building on the farm.

Chef Bertus Basson and Errieda will be hosting a talk and traditional Sunday lunch, featuring a feast of heritage dishes from her celebrated cookbook, SAAM, from 11.30am.

Set to satisfy, expect favourites from skaapboud (leg of lamb) in pastry with gravy, pampoenpoffertjies (pumpkin puffs) and muscadel sauce, to milk tart and malva pudding, among a range of other delights.

Professor Herman’s historic farms presentation takes place on Saturday September 28, at 5.30pm for 6pm.

Professir Herman, activist and former Dean and Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), who now serves on various boards, will share the history of the farms Vergenoegd Löw, Meerlust and Zandvliet, and their contributions to the local wine industry, against the backdrop of the Dutch and British colonial eras and related sociological developments.

The talk starts at 6pm, and sharing platters laden with mouth-watering Cape heritage food will be served at around 7pm. The Vergenoegd Löw collection of wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle.

Go to www.vergenoegd.co.za to make your reservations.