Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate heritage
330-Year Legacy: Established in 1696, it is one of South Africa’s oldest active wine farms, maintaining an unbroken winemaking tradition for nearly 330 years.
National Monument Architecture: The estate features a historic 1773 Cape Dutch homestead, fully restored using 18th-century watercolor records, and designated as a national monument.
European Heritage Project: Acquired in 2015 by German historian and entrepreneur Dr. Peter Löw, the property was revitalized into a premium boutique hotel, luxury spa, and dining destination, joining the elite European Heritage Project.
The Famous Duck Regiment: Honored as a WWF Conservation Champion for regenerative farming, the estate is world-renowned for using a flock of Indian Runner ducks to naturally eliminate vineyard pests and weeds without chemicals.
Maritime Terroir: Located less than 5km from the ocean on an ancient seabed, the lime-rich soil and cool sea breezes produce balanced, low-intervention wines with a distinctive whisper of salinity.
When Dr Peter Löw bought Vergenoegd in 2015, he began an exciting new program of revitalisation. A prominent German entrepreneur, philanthropist, historian, cultural and heritage advocate, he recognised the potential in a once proud but run-down wine farm. He found a complex of early buildings that, although dilapidated, were still largely intact. Everything he encountered here led him to believe the property had all the building blocks to produce great wines, to offer high-end dining and hospitality, and a range of intriguing experiences.
What he envisaged and has brought to life, is an intimate wine tourist destination in an authentic working farm setting abounding in natural beauty and scenery: an idyllic enclave that honours the past in a fresh and contemporary way; and that through our wines, expresses a true taste of place with grace and depth.
Dr Löw has successfully reclaimed the reputation of our 160ha estate as an esteemed heritage site. Previously known for our wines, we are now also recognised for our luxury hospitality. He has harnessed high-level technology as well as the skills and insights of specialists in soil mapping, regenerative agriculture, in wine, heritage, architectural restoration, landscaping and exclusive hospitality.
Through his investment, the renamed Vergenoegd Löw The Wine Estate Boutique Hotel & Spa has joined the pedegreed portfolio of European Heritage Project with its privately-owned luxury properties in Germany, Austria, Italy and Malta.
Prof. Dr. Peter Löw handing over the key to Clara’s Barn to Bertus Basson during the Inauguration of Clara’s Barn function in 2022. Gathering the harvest in February 2022 clearly showed the progress on many fronts. As each team member stepped forward to empty their basket of grapes into the cellar crusher, the people of Vergenoed Löw rediscovered their own connection and that of their forefathers with this living, breathing wine estate.
Willam N
