Vergelegen Launches Sip And Stroll Guided Walks

Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has introduced a novel way to experience its rich heritage and award-winning wines – a guided walk through its historic core, with curated wine tastings that reflect the estate’s 325-year-old history at each stop.

Guests start their journey in the Sundial Garden, guided by Arnoux Tredoux, manager of the Vergelegen wine tasting room. After introducing guests to Vergelegen’s storied wine history and current projects, Tredoux leads them through the shady Bamboo Garden to the library, originally a wine cellar built in 1816.

Here, in the library’s classic country house interior of upholstered sofas and polished dark wood, guests taste the tropical notes of the Wild Winds 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, the oldest wine cultivar planted on the farm.

The next stop is the formal rose garden, recently updated with fresh plantings, arbours and elegant seating, where guests sample the 2025 Rosé.

Guests then stroll to the oldest estate garden, the Octagonal Garden. This is the perfect spot to savour the intense aromatics and notes of lemon, rosemary and apple of the Estate White 2023, a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

The East Garden is the next tasting spot, with a backdrop of the Hottentots Holland and Helderberg mountain ranges, and the hilltop winery building, whose octagonal shape mirrors the design of the historic homestead’s walled garden.

Vergelegen has planted a vineyard block here, featuring Muscat de Fontignan vines. Among them is a remarkable Gross Chenin Blanc vine, grafted from South Africa’s oldest living grapevine, planted over 250 years ago in Cape Town’s Heritage Square.

Guests savour the Estate Red 2021, a Merlot – Cabernet Sauvignon blend that reflects the micro-climate and terroir of Vergelegen. Cassis, pencil shavings and spice dominate the nose and palate.

The sip and stroll concludes with Reserve Chardonnay 2023 in the wine tasting room. Its notes of zesty citrus, spice, delicate citrus blossoms and a hint of buttered toast complement the rich creaminess of fresh Italian Burrata cheese, atop a light salad.

This novel tour, ideal for a group of eight to ten people, takes place on Friday afternoons.

Tour details

Dates: Friday afternoons at 15:00. For alternative dates, contact Arnoux Tredoux at winetasting@vergelegen.co.za
Time: 15:00, arrive 15 minutes before departure from the wine tasting centre.
Duration: One and a half hours.
Tour includes: Guided walk, bottled water, tasting wine, creamy burrata bowl, glass of Chardonnay.
Price: R500/person.
Bookings: Email winetasting@vergelegen.co.za
Tour numbers: Minimum two, maximum ten guests.
Estate hours: Monday–Sunday, 08h30–17h00 (last entry 16h00).

Estate entrance fee: R30/adult, R10/scholars and pensioners.

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Vergelegen launches sip and stroll guided walks

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