Vergelegen was one of the first in the Cape to produce modern-style wines from the late ‘80s (1991 was the first bottling).
The winery is a large, old estate at Somerset West which once belonged to Governor of the Cape Willem van der Stel, and now owned by mining giant Anglo American.
Long-term Cellarmaster André van Rensburg (since 1998) is uncompromising on quality, from the vineyard to the cellars and the watchword here is harmony, particularly between the old and new methods employed to make the wines. Consultant Michel Rolland is working with André, particularly on the merlot grape, to further refine the red wines and at blending, in which he is a renowned specialist. Simplicity is sought to allow the quality of the rigorously selected fruit to do the talking.
Vergelegen, meaning 'situated far away' was granted to the Governor of the Cape in 1700, making it an older estate even than many in the ‘old’ world. It is also one of the Cape’s most beautiful, with sensitively restored Cape Dutch buildings (housing excellent restaurants and tasting room) set in stunning gardens contrasting with the starkly modern hilltop winery and wide range of local flora thanks to their dedication to conservation on the farm.