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

With over 700 vineyards within a two-hour drive of Cape Town, deciding which one to visit can pose a challenge. Fortunately, the estate closest to Cape Town’s airport is a destination in its own right – and after visiting twice, it’s time to share this hidden gem.

The welcome

Driving through the gates of Vergenoegd Löw invokes a palpable anticipation of leaving behind life’s stresses and embracing the excitement of what lies ahead. Following the signs to the hotel, a sliding gate opens ahead, with a porter greeting you at the car, ready to assist with your luggage. At the hotel reception, the staff continued the warm welcome, offering a refreshing towel to help you cool off.

After completing the necessary paperwork, we were escorted into a golf cart, and our journey began, meandering through the estate. As we passed the hotel and the owner’s villa – along with a herd of Dexter cattle grazing in the fields – we spotted the row of white-washed Cape Dutch-style cottages, one of which would be our home for the next three days.

The room

The estate features six freestanding, two-bedroom luxury cottages, and walking across the front veranda was a delightful experience. Stepping inside, we were welcomed by a lounge with a wood-burning fireplace and a dining table. As a continuation of the warm welcome, our porter poured us glasses of Cap Classique. This is often served in hotel receptions, where I sometimes feel pressured to finish it immediately, but being served in our lounge felt both clever and homely.

From the central lounge, two identical bedrooms extend outwards, both with invitingly comfortable king beds – adorned with plenty of pillows for those who enjoy creating a sleeping nest – and leading through sliding doors to the outside veranda.

The outdoor space is effortlessly designed for relaxation: the generously sized heated pool invites lounging, and an outdoor shower offers both warm and cool water after a swim. Secluded from the rest of the farm, the cottages boast a tranquil setting, surrounded by manicured gardens, with the Stellenbosch mountains in the distance.

Vergenoegd Löw also offers a beautifully boutique Farm Lodge, where I stayed during my first visit. Each of the Deluxe Lodge Rooms is a spacious 40m² and features its own private deck with a jacuzzi and outdoor furniture – and all the farm’s facilities are just a short walk away.

Lastly, the stunning owner’s villa is available for selective stays – a modern and custom-designed home featuring six en-suite bedrooms. There are four Vineyard suites in the courtyard, each with its own heated pool, which can also be rented out for small groups of friends or family seeking seclusion. There’s also an impressive presidential quite – a favourites for wedding couples!

The bathroom

Returning to our luxury cottage, both bedrooms lead to large bathrooms with walk-in showers and freestanding bathtubs. As a frequent traveller in South Africa, I’m always curious about the provided amenities – and I felt a sigh of relief at Vergenoegd Löw upon spotting the familiar Healing Earth labels, a premium African spa brand.

The location

Vergenoegd Löw couldn’t be more conveniently located – being the closest estate to Cape Town’s airport, which is a mere 20-minute drive away. The city itself is only twice that distance – but make no mistake, the estate still embodies the spirit of the Winelands, giving you a sense of escape from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. While some of the accommodation may be new, the farm’s history traces back to the early days of the Cape.

One notable example is the story of Dutch Lutheran minister and artist Jan Brandes, who visited the farm in 1786 and created extensive paintings of both buildings and botany, which have guided current teams aiming to honour the farm’s heritage. Some of his works are featured in the prestigious Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, with reproductions on display in Clara’s Barn.

The facilities

With so many activities on offer at Vergenoegd Löw, you genuinely won’t want to leave – which means you can indulge in the farm’s three culinary options. Firstly, Clara’s Barn is firmly placed in my top four South African restaurants. It’s an experience that perfectly hits the mark for fine dining, offering pure epicurean ecstasy from the 11-course offerings to the breath-taking interiors, all paired with estate wines – tucked away in a serene enclave of the farm.

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Secondly, in the farm’s central courtyard (and beautiful indoor rooms), casual dining is served up in the morning and at noon at Geuwels. Hotel guests enjoy breakfast here, featuring tasty South African twists like ‘die soutie’ full breakfast and the ‘regmakertjie’ for those suffering from last night’s indulgences.

Lastly, with in-room dining, you can enjoy no-frills delights delivered to your door – whether by the pool, in the dining room, or my personal favourite – in bed! There are few things I relish more than sinking my teeth into a burger in bed while watching the latest Netflix offering.

Then perhaps saving the best for last, naturally Vergenoegd Löw offers premium wine. We had the privilege of spending a little time with the charming winemaker Vusi Dalicuba, who walked us through the wines. Vusi Dalicuba has been at the helm since 2021, having previously worked at several renowned wineries. In a world where there are still few Xhosa winemakers, he has very proudly made his mark. 

From the fabulously fresh tropical and Sauvignon Blanc, beautifully fruit-wood balanced Chardonnay, lighter but elegant Shiraz to the seductive cool climate Cabernet. The wines are best enjoyed over the Indigenous Tasting on the veranda or super stylish rooms of the Manor House. They’re served with a host of favourite South African nibbles – rather than dictating the pairing you’re left to explore your own mouthwatering taste combinations.

Other nice touches

In addition to the paintings and drawings, the estate also boasts an impressive sculpture collection. The Art Walk is a self-guided or lead tour taking in the outstanding pieces, which include several from celebrated South African artists Dylan Lewis and Manuela Holzer.

Walking the tour takes you past the tranquil setting of the lake; with the Eerste Rivier running through the property, there is endless water with canals keeping the gardens and vineyards well-watered. Next on the walk is the serene Valentina’s Chapel, seating up to 120 people for weddings and significant ceremonies. The chapel is flanked by both a labyrinth and a maze, which provide a little entertainment pre or post your visit to the chapel.

The cost

The lodge rooms start at R7200 for two guests, the vineyard suites at R9200, and then the cottages at R13200 for four adults. The owner’s villa is available on selective says, with the price on request. All accommodation is inclusive of a welcome drink, fruit basket in the room, one complimentary wine tasting at the Vergenoegd Löw tasting room per stay, a limited minibar and then daily breakfast.

The best bit

Mention the farm’s name and often you’ll hear something along the lines of “Ah, the farm with the ducks!” The adorable Indian Runner ducks have become the farm’s mascots – a staggering one thousand of them call the farm home, and twice daily they can be spotted elegantly marching across the lawns: on their way to and from a day’s duties of foraging and organic pest control.

The final verdict

After all that, you’ll see why I use the word destination to describe Vergenoegd Löw – if you thought it was just about wine tasting or ducks then they’re missing out. After two stays, the farm already feels like home – and with the close distance to Cape Town itself, why not have an extra home around the corner?

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Vergenoegd Löw.

Jared Ruttenberg

Jared Ruttenberg is a travel writer from Cape Town, South Africa. He enjoys connecting people and experiences through words, images and social media.