Our wine country here in the Cape is filled with history. The sad thing is that not everyone appreciates it or even honours it. I recently got around to visiting Vergenoegd Wine Estate and I was blown away by the experience and their respect for its history and buildings. The farm is filled with stories and activities for the whole family. But before I get into that, let us talk ducks!
The farm has almost 800 Indian Runner ducks that are let out every morning to graze on the snails and bugs that threaten the vineyards. The ducks are an eco-friendly solution for the farm and to be honest, they are possibly one of the cutest creatures I have ever seen! If you find yourself visiting the estate then I would recommend arriving before 09:45 to see them go to work in their duck parade. Or catch them at the end of a hard day’s work at 15:30 daily! The sounds and sites of these feathered friends running into the vineyards is a must see! They are also part of the reason why Vergenoegd proudly carries the WWF biodiversity certificate.
The Estate is bustling with activities such as wine, coffee, tea and olive oil blending. I decided to opt for the olive oil blending as it was something different to what I’ve done before and I must admit that I was happy with my choice! Being educated on olive oils and the blends was fascinating! And the best part? I received a labelled bottle of my olive oil blend!
Sitting in the old buildings, I was able to take in the history of the Estate, and I think it is really special that they work so hard to preserve it. There is something to be said for those who honour the past and remember where they come from and I truly got that feeling at Vergenoegd!
The chef, Ryan Shell, has put together a picnic menu of epic proportions. Coming from a background of working with Chris Erasmus (one of my favourite chefs) I knew I was going to be blown away! With freshly baked bread and scrumptious salads, you can’t go wrong! Each picnic basket is accompanied with a fantastic bottle of Runner Duck wine. The white wine is crisp and fresh - the perfect pairing to a summer’s picnic! Booking is essential for all the activities on the farm and Vergenoegd ‘s site is also a hive of information! Give them a visit next time you want to wonder out to wine country! You will not be disappointed!
-Melissa