Vergelegen Wine Estate’s new nature drives, pop-up cafes and more

Posted by Anita Froneman on 11 August 2021

Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West, who’s set up a brand new gourmet hot dog cafe in the scenic surroundings of their Nguni cattle pastures, is the definition of the perfect day out. 

Aside from the incredible wine made on the estate, Vergelegen now also offers nature drives around the farm, exploring the pristine scenery on a guided tour through the recently proclaimed Vergelegen Nature Reserve. The estate already boasts beautiful eland and bontebok, and will soon add more small game to their offering. The property’s lush, green vegetation, shimmering dam and endless vines make for the perfect afternoon drive. The open-air safari vehicle ensures that you’ll feel the wind blowing through your hair, and not be cramped into an enclosed space.

After the drive, visit the delightful little hotdog eatery with sprawling views of the cattle, mountains and vineyards for a scrumptious lunch. Vergelegen Executive Chef Michael Cooke, renowned for his super-seasonal dishes and sustainability, has developed a choice of Asian, German and French-style toppings for the beef, pork or vegetarian hot dogs.

These hotdogs are not your standard street food. They are expertly crafted and tasty as heck! Credit: Anita Froneman

Excellent wine paired with sunny farm views. Credit: Anita Froneman

Visitors have two seating options – a vast glass conservatory, stylishly bedecked with greenery and soft furnishings, or an outdoor grass-covered deck. The cattle graze and tend to their calves around the conservatory, which offers stunning views across the green pastures to the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountains. 

“The ‘loaded’ Asian hotdog offers topping ingredients such as slaw, Japanese-style (kewpie) mayonnaise and nori seaweed;  the German-inspired topping includes mustard, sauerkraut and pickles; and the French-style topping incorporates truffle aioli, Comté cows’ milk cheese, and bacon bits,” says Cooke. Guests can also order Vergelegen wine or bubbly by the glass, or choose from a variety of soft drinks, and coffee.

The Nguni Pop-up Cafe is open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10h00-17h00, walk-ins only, for sit down or takeaway meals, for a maximum of 50 people at a time or as lockdown regulations allow. 

For more information, visit their website here.

Pictures: Judy Bryant/Vergelegen Wine Estate

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