Sip, sip, hooray! Vergelegen scoops innovative wine tourism experiences award

Staff Reporter|Published 4 months ago

Vergelegen scooped the Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences award in the 2025 Best Of Wine Tourism and Wine Tourism Ambassador Awards. Pictured, from left, Arnoux Tredoux, manager Vergelegen wine tasting room; Caroline van Schalkwyk, Vergelegen marketing manager; Roxan Waldeck, founder Apeirogon Youth Development Academy; Monika Iuel, Chief Tourism Officer, Wesgro; and Cape Winelands District Municipality executive mayor, Alderman Dr Helena von Schlicht.

Gladys Jafta, supervisor Vergelegen wine tasting room, with enviro tour game drive vehicle.

Vergelegen Wine Estate, long renowned for its commitment to protecting history and heritage, has just been officially recognised for its innovation too.

The 324-year-old Somerset West estate scooped the Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences award in the 2025 Best Of Wine Tourism and Wine Tourism Ambassador Awards, held on Wednesday October 16.

Initiated by Great Wine Capitals 26 years ago, the Best Of Wine Tourism Awards are a key guide for local and international tourists seeking authentic experiences, from vineyard visits and festivals to exclusive wine tastings.

Vergelegen is home to a 1 900-hectare private nature reserve with the same conservation status as the Kruger National Park. Guests can book for a guided environmental tour in a game drive vehicle, and learn more about the estate’s alien vegetation clearing project, the largest privately funded project of its type in South Africa.

The alien vegetation clearing has resulted in the return of abundant natural vegetation, birds, mammals, and rare and endangered plants.

Guests can view indigenous Nguni cattle, bontebok, eland, rare “Rau“ quagga, black wildebeest and red hartebeest, and learn about providing natural forage for honey bees.

The estate also offers wine tastings, cellar tours, manor house and garden tours, and a selection of restaurants, appealing to all ages and pockets.

“Winning the award is just incredible,” said Vergelegen managing director, Wayne Coetzer.

“This accolade is an endorsement of our staff who have worked extremely hard to ensure that this beautiful estate’s facilities and hospitality are absolutely world class.

“We pride ourselves on offering true hospitality, which is so different to service. Hospitality is the way you make people feel. Every person who comes to this farm must have an incredible experience and feel spoilt,” added Mr Coetzer.

The environmental tour is, weather permitting, departing from the wine tasting centre at 10am. The duration is two hours, R750 per person, maximum nine people.

The cost includes a branded cap, water bottle and Heritage Range wine tasting. Contact 021 847 2122 or mail winetasting@vergelegen.co.za for more information or to book.