Vergelegen Res Merlot 2021

The first vines were planted at Vergelegen in 1700 by founder Willem Adriaan van der Stel and included varieties such as ‘Steendruif’ (Chenin Blanc) and Muscat de Frontignan. Vineyards also flourished under the Theunissen family’s tenure between 1798 and 1899. In the 20th century there were sporadic plantings by various owners, the last of these vines were removed in 1962. The soils of Vergelegen lay fallow until 1987 when the Estate was purchased by Anglo American. The climate at Vergelegen is mild due to its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean at False Bay some six kilometres away which places the farm within the lower Region 3 according to the ‘degree days’ temperature classification. Vineyard sites range in altitude between 140m and 310m above sea level, with slopes facing north to north-west, and south to south-east.