Time travel is impossible. However, the wine estate of Vergenoegd Löw makes it seem like it is, writes Joshua Kearney.
Vergenoegd Farmstead, 2014/Wikimedia Commons
Stepping back
The estate as seen from above/Wikimedia Commons.
Vergenoegd Löw is a wine estate with a lot of history. Just 35 kilometres East-Southeast of Cape Town, it boasts an unbroken tradition of winemaking more than 300 years long.
First established in the mid-17th Century by Pieter de Vos, its name means “to be content or satisfied” in its founder’s home tongue of Dutch. After it was bought by Dr. Peter Löw in 2015 – whose name it now also bears – it experienced a revitalisation. Not merely just a wine estate, it was restructured to feature a boutique hotel and spa in addition to the rest of its features.
Extensive efforts have been made under the watchful eyes of innumerable experts to perfectly recreate the farm as it was in the late 18th Century. From the buildings to the plants and animals, it’s like the past, now present.
Exploring the past
Vineyard at Vergenoegd/Wikimedia Commons
One of the major features of Vergenoegd is its 1773 homestead. Everything about this national monument is exactly as it was more than 200 years ago: the gable, thatched roof, whitewashed walls, casement windows, even the distinctive ringmuur.
This is not its only attraction, though.
Geuwels is the heart of Vergenoegd Löw. Built into what was once the cellar of the 18th Century farm is the main restaurant. Named for the gables that were partially exposed during restoration, it offers a casual yet refined farm-to-table experience. Its entire menu is built around the wines of the estate and constructed using locally sourced produce. Anything not made in Vergenoegd is from other farms nearby.
A perfect recreation
Another view from 2014/Wikimedia Commons
As a member of the European Heritage Project, the heritage of Vergenoegd Löw is at the core of everything the estate does. At the time of its purchase by Dr. Löw, Vergenoegd was in a state of decline; though far from destitute, it was equally distant from the success it enjoys today.
With all that has been said about its commitment to its heritage, it doesn’t blindly adhere to tradition. From its wines to its animals, Vergenoegd expends no small effort to ensure everything is sustainable, in partnership with the WWF.
It carefully strikes a balance between honouring its long history and remaining conscious of the darker parts of the past. Whether that means a commitment to hospitality, reflection on the effects of colonialism, or effort spent to protect the environment, Vergenoegd is more than merely a theme park.
Doing the time warp
A parade of ducks at Vergenoegd/Wikimedia Commons
Following studies conducted over the years, Vergenoegd is among those estates that has committed to not merely settling for one limited avenue of attraction. A major focus of the wine farm in 2026 is going to be on expanding its operations to remain a popular destination year-round.
This is not just about Vergenoegd Löw itself, but about wine farms as a whole: a key goal going forwards is going to be about establishing the winelands as more than a seasonal setting.
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