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Vergelegen Winery Guide
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Last updated: April 10, 2024
Winery Overview
One of South Africa’s most impressive wine estates, Vergelegen is an astonishingly picturesque and historic wine farm on hillside vineyards south of Stellenbosch. From the outset, the focus has been on producing a luxury wine brand, and the flagship red Vergelegen V is one of the region’s most impressive and expensive wines. Proof, indeed, that Stellenbosch and the Western Cape can produce wines to rival the best of Bordeaux.
Vergelegen started its journey many centuries ago as the estate of Willem Adriaan van der Stel, the governor of the Cape who inherited his position from his father, Simon van der Stel. Quickly sensing the potential of Stellenbosch for vine growing, der Stel planted several different grape varieties in 1700, including the so-called ‘Blue Muscadel,’ Chenin Blanc, white Muscadel, and Frontignan. After only six years, der Stel boasted over half a million vines on his land, an idyllic fruit orchard, a corn mill, and an extensive cattle ranch. However, he was subsequently forced to return to the Netherlands. After that, Vergelegen went through a succession of different owners until 1917, when it came under Sir Lionel Phillips’s control. Purchasing the estate for his wife, Lady Florence Phillips, the new owners wasted no time restoring the then-dilapidated estate to its former glory. Its reputation flourished as the new owners plowed their considerable wealth into making Vergelegen the most opulent estate in Stellenbosch.
The estate was sold to the Barlow family in 1941 following Sir Lionel and Lady Phillips’s death. They acquired Vergelegen at auction and showed the same care and interest in their new property as Lady Phillips, replanting the vineyards and expanding the cattle operation. Their son took over Vergelegen in the 1960s, although its importance as a wine producer faded under his stewardship, and by 1962, the last of vines had been pulled up.
Its grand resurgence came in 1987 when Anglo Americans purchased the farm and set Vergelegen on a path to greatness. After an extensive soil study, vines were replanted. A state-of-the-art winery was inaugurated in 1992, an impressive building with more than a whiff of Napa Valley. Winemaker Andre Van Rensburg took over the winemaking mantle after Martin Meinert left to find his label, and it must be said that every wine produced here is superb. The flagship Vergelegen V is undoubtedly one of the best wines from the Cape, a monumental red fashioned on Left Bank Bordeaux that will improve decades after release. If nothing else, it has taken South African wine prices to new heights, yet it is still a steal in the context of other luxury branded wine from elsewhere – magnificent!
Wines produced
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Vergelegen V
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks. It is then aged for 21 months in 100% new French oak. It is then aged for a further period of 24 months in bottle. The flagship red wine of the property, it will benefit from extended cellaring. -
Vergelegen G.V.B Red
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Produced from low yielding vineyards, the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks. It is then aged for 22 months in 100% new 225 liter Sylvain Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels. The wine will benefit from cellaring upon release. -
Vergelegen G.V.B White
62% Semillon, 38% Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is fermented using whole bunches in French oak; the Semillon in 50% new, 50% 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill, 225 liter barrels and the Sauvignon in 500 litre barrels, 25% new. The wine is then aged for a period of 10 months in barrel before bottling. Will benefit from extended bottle age after release. -
Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine is fermented in open and closed stainless steel tanks at high temperatures. It is then aged for 22 months in Malolactic fermentation in 100% new oak for 22 months. -
Vergelegen Shiraz Reserve
100% Shiraz. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, subject to a pre-maceration cold soak. The wine is then aged in 25% new French oak for 16 months. -
Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve
100% Chardonnay. The wine is fermented in 50% new French oak barrels and 50% second-fill and third fill barrels. The wine is then aged on its lees for 10 months before bottling. -
Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
100% Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks before being aged on its lees for 3 months.
Winery Contact Details
Vergelegen
Somerset WestStellenbosch
South Africa
Email: [email protected]
Tel (+27) 21 847 2100
Fax Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
WO Stellenbosch
Founded
1700 (first vines planted on the estate)
Area under Vine
140 Hectares (under vine)
Age of vines
30 years+ Low yields
Oak barrel origin
French
Winemaker
Andre Van Rensburg
Owner
Anglo American Company
Production
Grape varietals
Chardonnay, Semillon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape varietal native to the Burgundy wine region in France and one of the most popular varieties worldwide.
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Sauvignon Blanc
The sauvignon blanc grape varietal, originally from the Bordeaux region of France, is now one of the world's most loved white varieties.
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Cabernet Franc
The sauvignon blanc grape varietal, originally from the Bordeaux region of France, is now one of the world's most loved white varieties.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Discover the irresistible allure of Cabernet Sauvignon—a worldwide favorite with robust, dark-bodied flavor. Unleash your wine journey today!
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Merlot
Merlot is the most cultivated grape in Bordeaux and closely related to Cabernet Franc
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Semillon
Explore the allure of the Semillon grape & its legendary connection to Sauternes. Unveil the history & flavors of this captivating varietal. Cheers!
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Syrah
Syrah is dark-skinned and perhaps the most underrated of the 'noble' red grape varieties.
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Winery Appellations
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More information
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