At the end of an ordinary farm road, behind an understated entrance, lies an extraordinary day out in the Winelands. Vergenoegd Wine Estate is a little gem and a unique experience just outside Stellenbosch and still so close to Cape Town. Very rarely does a business impress me as much as Vergenoegd did on a media day organised by Destinate in December 2015.

Please click on any of the pictures below to view in full size.

Vergenoegd Farm was granted to Pieter de Vos in 1696 by Simon van der Stel

Flowering Jacaranda tree at Vergenoegd Wine Estate

The historic homestead at Vergenoegd is used to host the various activities on offer

Homemade rusks by Chef Rhyan Shell, aka The Food Dude

Environmentallly sound (tap) water at Vergenoegd

Their sustainable approach towards farming is refreshing, using 700 or so Indian Runner ducks as natural pest-control. This mega cute, waddling workforce sets off daily at around 09.30 hrs to hoover up any unwanted snails and bugs in the Vergenoegd vineyards, and thus cutting down dramatically on the use of pesticides. I have to admit the Duck Parade completely made my day and still puts a smile on my face every time I look at the pictures below.

All the vegetables grown by Chef Rhyan Shell, aka The Food Dude, are organic and used in all their cooking.

Waddling workforce at Vergenoegd setting off for the vineyards

Indian Runner ducks led to the vineyards by Peter Stuart (MD) at Vergenoegd

Indian runner ducks rushing to office at Vergenoegd

Ducks ducks and more ducks

Indian Runner ducks are specifically bred for pest control in gardens and vineyards

Runner duck hoovering up unwanted snails and other bugs in the vineyards

Chef Rhyan Shell’s organic vegetable garden at Vergenoegd

Chef Rhyan Shell, aka the Food Dude, picking herbs and lettuce for the artisan picnics

Not only created the Vergenoegd team a range of fascinating, experiential, hands-on, and most importantly fun activities, such as coffee, tea, wine, and olive oil blending, but they also offer classic, artisanal, scrumptious picnics, as well as traditional and vintage wine tastings.

The historic element has been maintained in Vergenoegd’s homestead – a perfect setting for a vintage wine tasting

Vergenoegd vertical vintage Cabernet Sauvignon tasting

Wine tasting at Vergenoegd Wine Estate

Vergenoegd’s artisanal picnics come with wine, rustic bread, cheese and meats, fresh salad, a main course and a desert

Wicker picnic baskets filled to the rim with scrumptious homemade and organic goodies

The picnic main course comes in a beautiful wooden box

Olive oil blending experience at Vergenoegd Wine Estate

The beautiful colours of Rooibos, Buchu and Tanzanian black tea

Tea blending with Rooibos, Buchu and Tanzanian black tea at Vergenoegd

Enjoying the pure taste of Rooibos tea

And at the end of every day, the waddling workforce returns home after a hard day’s work in the vineyards.

For a more detailed story check ‘A Vergenoegd day in Stellenbosch’ on The Good Holiday.
For prices and booking information check the Vergenoegd Wine Estate website.