Vergelegen is famous for its majestic camphor trees and stunning gardens, but with the unveiling of several exciting new offerings, you’ll find yourself returning for much more than just the greenery.
Vergelegen is making significant changes to its hospitality offerings with a stunning glass marquee and improvements to the summer picnic hub.
Whether you’re raising a glass to a bridal couple or celebrating one of life’s milestones, the marquee, which is located on the lawn near the former Café Fleur, offers the perfect setting for up to 400 guests, no matter the weather.
The marquee’s architectural design seamlessly blends with Vergelegen’s signature charm. “We aimed to create a sense that you’re nestled in our enchanting garden and surrounded by beautiful trees,” Vergelegen’s marketing manager Caroline van Schalkwyk says. “That’s why we chose floor-to-ceiling glass panels. Even the soft sage-green hue of the marquee reflects the essence of who we are.”
The picnic distribution hub is also getting an exciting upgrade, including a new ice cream outlet, just in time for summer. “This will elevate the estate’s popular white tablecloth picnic, held in the atmospheric camphor tree forest,” Caroline says. The nearby Rose Terrace Tea Room, has also proved to be a popular choice for guests wanting a light meal or sweet treat.
This growth brings more than just space, it also creates new opportunities. “Employment is part of our ethos,” Caroline says. “With this expansion, we’re excited to open the door to even more job opportunities.”
Sustainability
Vergelegen remains committed to conservation and has introduced initiatives to restore its natural vegetation and enhance wildlife habitats in the estate’s extensive nature reserve.
The game drives have proved to be so popular that a second game-drive vehicle has been acquired, offering visitors more opportunities to explore the thriving wildlife on the expansive 1 900-ha nature reserve. With the same conservation status as the Kruger National Park, Vergelegen recently introduced black wildebeest and red hartebeest to the reserve. They join the reserve’s bontebok, eland and quagga that are well established and breeding. Their wildlife camp has also been enlarged to 400 ha. “This will truly enrich visitors’ experience,” Caroline says. “They’ll be drawn back for a second visit to catch all the wonders they missed the first time.”
Vergelegen has also committed to planting 1 000 trees annually, mainly in the garden area and 54-ha arboretum. Gardens manager Richard Arm has selected resilient species such as South Africa’s national tree, real yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius), milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme), water oak (Quercus nigra) and turkey oak (Quercus cerris).
Nature took its toll on some of the estate’s beloved trees during a major storm in April last year. Many trees have also been invaded by the polyphagous shot-hole borer beetle. “Nature is in a constant state of flux,” Richard says. “Despite our extensive research, investment and collaboration with leading universities and tree experts, there are limits to what we can control.”
To ensure the survival of Vergelegen’s trees, especially during extreme weather events, the estate relies on its experienced horticultural team and the expertise of Dr Jolanda Roux, a mycologist who specialises in plant diseases caused by fungi. She makes an annual trip to check on Vergelegen’s trees and is available for WhatsApp discussions and suggestions whenever the team has a query.
The Vergelegen arboretum contributes significantly to the estate’s conservation efforts by establishing a large, tree-focused botanical garden that promotes biodiversity and sustainability. Its development is part of the estate’s long-term sustainability strategy, made possible by its water self-sufficiency following a major alien vegetation clearing project.
The area, formerly orchards, is being transformed into a green sanctuary consistent with Vergelegen’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
“The intention is to create a unique horticultural, environmental and historic destination based on the four design principles of variety, intricacy, connection and quality,” Richard says.
The revamp
With refreshed wine labels and an expanding lifestyle product range, Vergelegen is positioning itself as a forward-thinking brand ready for 2025 and beyond.
Developing the new labels – the first in two decades – has been a three-year project involving considerable reflection and collaboration with heritage, viticulture, winemaking and design experts. The rebranding efforts also centred on Vergelegen’s global positioning, with guidance from global stakeholders, insights from international market intelligence and considerations of consumer preferences.
After sifting through countless iterations, the team finally settled on designs that resonate deeply with each product range. “Drawing inspiration from the farm, its rich history and the environmental ethos woven into its story, we crafted a new range of labels that feels true to the essence of this extraordinary property,” Vergelegen managing director Wayne Coetzer says.
The Heritage, Reserve, Estate, and Icon ranges all have new labels. The labels for the Heritage Range, illustrated by local artist Rohan Etsebeth, retain the signature octagon shape, but now in a softer rendition. The Reserve Range highlights Vergelegen’s unique location with labels designed by Linda Smal that showcase the estate’s vineyards and cellar. The Estate Range labels, designed by Haumann Smal Design Studio, celebrate the homestead, camphor trees, and gardens, while the Icon Range labels also illustrated by Linda, feature the iconic manor house.
Vergelegen’s exclusive selection of high-end products, such as candles, and hand wash and lotion inspired by the estate’s scented roses and natural honey, has been extended and is now sold at The Potting Shed, a new gift shop near the Rose Terrace Tea Room. This charming shop, which opened in December, invites visitors to take a piece of Vergelegen’s beauty home.
A bottle of wine tells the story of a moment in time – the state of the terroir, whether there was rain or drought, and many other details that capture the complex nuances of the moment. “It’s a metaphor representing Vergelegen, for here, around us, at every moment, a story is in the making,” Wayne says. “Such is the narrative of our long and illustrious history. The story is a work in progress and without a conclusion. So here’s a toast to all who came before us and the great heights we aspire to. To the future!”
To explore more articles in our January issue, Future Now, purchase our digital or print magazine here.
