Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has just unveiled a truly unique way to experience its 325-year-old heritage – a guided heritage walk and wine tasting tour that leads guests through the estate’s historic gardens, with perfectly paired wines served at each stop.

This new wine experience blends history, viticulture, and scenic beauty, allowing visitors to taste the story of the estate’s award-winning wines while exploring its legendary grounds.

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Sip and Stroll at Vergelegen Wine Estate

First Stop: The Sundial Garden

Led by Arnoux Tredoux, manager of the Vergelegen wine tasting room, the tour begins in the tranquil Sundial Garden, where guests are introduced to the estate’s fascinating wine legacy and ongoing projects.

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Sip and Savour in an 1816 Library

From there, the group meanders through the shaded Bamboo Garden before arriving at the library, originally built as a wine cellar in 1816. Here, surrounded by polished dark wood and country-house charm, guests enjoy their first tasting – the Wild Winds 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that showcases tropical fruit notes and pays tribute to the oldest grape cultivar planted on the farm.

Vergelegen Wine Estate Rosé 2025 Amidst Summer Blooms

The next stop is the formal rose garden, which has recently been rejuvenated with elegant arbours, lush new plants and serene seating areas. Amid the fragrant blooms, guests sip on the fresh and lively Vergelegen Rosé 2025, capturing the essence of summer in a glass.

Striking Aromatics in Vergelegen’s Oldest Surviving Garden

From there, the Octagonal Garden awaits – the oldest surviving garden on the estate and a living link to Vergelegen’s early days. This is where visitors sample the Estate White 2023, a Semillon–Sauvignon Blanc blend with striking aromatics and notes of lemon, rosemary and crisp apple.

SA’s Oldest Living Grapevine and Panoramic Views

As the walk continues to the East Garden, guests are treated to panoramic views of the Hottentots Holland and Helderberg Mountains. It’s here that Vergelegen has planted a special vineyard block featuring Muscat de Frontignan vines and a remarkable Gross Chenin Blanc vine, grafted from South Africa’s oldest living grapevine, planted more than 250 years ago in Cape Town’s Heritage Square. This tasting stop features the Estate Red 2021, an elegant Merlot–Cabernet Sauvignon blend that captures the terroir and microclimate of the Vergelegen Wine Estate. Expect rich aromas of cassis, spice and cedar – the perfect balance between power and poise.

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Reserved for the Grand Finale

Finally, the last tasting takes place back at the wine tasting room, where guests enjoy the Reserve Chardonnay 2023 – a luxurious expression of Vergelegen’s craftsmanship. With notes of zesty citrus, subtle spice and a hint of buttered toast, it pairs beautifully with a creamy Italian burrata salad, rounding off the experience on a truly indulgent note.

An Intimate, Sensory Journey of Note at Vergelegen Wine Estate

This guided wine walk is ideal for small groups of eight to ten people and runs on Friday afternoons at 15:00. For those seeking an intimate, sensory journey through one of South Africa’s most iconic wine estates, this is an experience not to be missed.

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