History of Steenberg – New Beginnings
“At the dawning of the Cape, the swans rejoined, feeding in paradise at the foot of the Steenberg Mountains.”
Steenberg, 'Mountain of Stone', has a romantic ring, but the original name was even more beautiful, it was called 'Swaaneweide' - The Feeding Place of Swans. Whether swans did indeed fly down to drink and swim in the cool clear waters of the farm, or whether the first owner, Catharina Ras, was being nostalgic about her former home in Lubeck, on the Baltic coast of Germany, is hard to tell. Whatever her reason, she named her estate Swaaneweide, Ras had named the farm after what she thought were swans which are not indigenous to South Africa and certainly not Constantia, it is thought that she had mistaken the spur-winged geese for swans because today you will still find a large population of these spur-winged geese at Steenberg.
Catharina Ustings Ras was one of the most daring and controversial figures ever to settle at the Cape. Life was not easy when she arrived, only ten years after Jan van Riebeeck landed, for 1662 was far from being the age of rights for women, and yet this indomitable woman had boarded a sailing ship and made the perilous journey to the furthest tip of Africa. What she found was certainly no land of milk and honey. It was a fierce, wild place with laws to match. Keel haulings, hangings, lashings and brandings were normal occurrences. This being no place for a lone widow of twenty-two, she immediately found herself a second husband, Hans Ras. He was not a particularly eligible catch; he was a soldier and free burger with a penchant for female slaves, but he had a house on the Liesbeek River, which he had bought from Jakob Kluten, founder of the famous Cloete family, whose name has dominated Constantia for more than two hundred years.
Once the wedding knot was tied, Catharina's life seemed to take on the dramatic overtones, which marked its course from that day forward. Two wagons left the ceremony, with the bride and groom in one and the guests in the other. Lit from within by good Cape wine and overcome, no doubt, by the spirit of the occasion, the drivers decided to race one another back to Rondebosch. While the guests clung fearfully to their seats, praying to Heaven with truly Protestant fervour, the wagons vied for position and as the road was rough and narrow, a collision soon occurred. Enraged at this conduct on his wedding day, the bridegroom jumped down from his seat and soon became entangled in a fight, receiving a knife thrust, which almost proved fatal, the weapon breaking in two between his ribs. He survived this incident and lived to father several children, but came to an unfortunate end when he was killed by a lion some years later. Legend has it that, like Annie Oakley, Catharina courageously fetched a gun, leaped on her horse and gave chase finally shooting the lion herself, but this may well be a case of historical embroidery!
Fate had a good deal more in store for the girl from Lubeck however, for a Hottentot murdered her next husband and his successor was trampled underfoot by an elephant. Seemingly no less endowed with energy than Henry VIII, who surprised all Europe with his impressive total of six wives, Catharina then took unto herself a fifth husband, a hardy German named Matthys Michelse.
In 1682 Catharina Michelse, also known as The Widow Ras, asked Simon van der Stel for a portion of ground at the foot of the Ou Kaapse Weg and he agreed to lease 25 morgen to her. After he became the owner of Groot Constantia in 1685, she asked him for a legal title deed and a mandate was granted to her in 1688 to "cultivate, to plough and to sow and also to possess" the farm below the stone mountain." According to Baron von Rheede tot Drankenstein, who visited the farm and was served a luncheon of "radishes and freshly baked bread and beautiful cabbages", Catharina was a fiercely independent woman, "riding bare-back like an Indian and her children resembling Brazilian cannibals!"
In 1695 Frederik Russouw bought the farm. There to witness the deed, were Henning Huising (owner of Meerlust and uncle to Adam Tas) and Hugo Goyes. Russouw, a powerful and wealthy member of the Burger Council and it was he who built the new U-shaped house in 1695. He also made the first wines at Swaaneweide.
As time passed, the Dutch East India Company decreed in 1741 that from May to August each year, Simons Bay would be the official winter port, because "the north west winds in Table Bay had been causing untold damage and loss of life." Because Swaaneweide was exactly one days' journey from Table Bay and one days' journey from Simons Bay, this meant that many travellers would be obliged to overnight at the farm. Christina Diemer (the widow of Frederik Russouw) became the recipient of a highly profitable business of supplying hospitality to travellers and provisions to the fleet.
When Christina Diemer died, it was her youngest son, Nicolaas Russouw and his wife Anna Maria Rousselet who inherited the farm. He had received the farm before Christina died and made an agreement to relinquish any further claim on the estate. Nicolaas and his wife had the farm from 1765 to 1801. It was Nicolaas who had the fine new "Holbol" gable built on to the front of the original house, the only one of its kind in the Cape Peninsula.
When Nicolaas died, his son Daniel bought the farm (this was in 1802) from his mother, Maria. Due to difficult times and unfortunate circumstances, he sold it to Johannes Adriaan Louw of Fisantekraal (a brother-in-law) and Frederik Anthon Olthoff. The Deed of Sale is legally phrased and cut and dried and a letter appeared before the Master of the Supreme Court in August 1842, stating firmly that the sale to the two sons-in-law had been legal one of whom was Johannes Adriaan Louw. All Daniel Russouw's children were paid a cash share and signed acceptance of such a share. However the Russouw blood flowed in the Louw children's veins. Son of Johannes Adriaan, Nicolaas Louw's greatest passion was Steenberg. He went straight from school into farming and his three children, Andrew (architect), Jean and Nicolette inherited the property jointly when he died in 1976.
OWNERSHIP
Steenberg remained the property of the Louw family until 1990 when it was purchased by J.C.I (Johannesburg Consolidated Investments), and re-developed into the glorious vineyard and hotel it is today.
The late Graham Beck’s Kangra Group bought Steenberg Hotel and Steenberg Winery in April 2005 and operates today under the umbrella of Graham Beck Enterprises. Since then, an upmarket Spa has been added to the excellent facilities available for guests. A trendy Pool Bar has been completed overlooking a large pool in the most perfect setting imaginable. In 2007, three unique and luxurious Heritage Suites added a new distinction to its fascinating history that celebrate its National Monument status. The Suites are a contemporary interpretation and a tribute to three distinct historic periods in the history of the Cape. The suites have been created within the Jonkershuis (most of the Cape Estates had these “young man houses”), and have been done within the constraints laid down in the Law for an Historic Building, the exterior of which is not permitted to be altered in any way. The interiors have been changed dramatically, as Government are prepared to be flexible about this provided “new life is being breathed” into an old building. This has elevated Steenberg to its rightful place in South African history and present day society.
STEENBERG HOTEL
The beautiful buildings at the hotel have been lovingly restored. The historic ‘Werf’ area of the farm, which includes the circa 1740 Manor House, the Barn and the original wine cellar. The farmstead including the Manor House and the other buildings thereon have been declared a National Monument in terms of the War Graves and National Monument Act of 1969.
The main gable is the only surviving example of its type in the Cape Peninsula. It is a convex-concave or “holbol” outlined by heavy mouldings in a small keystone.
The original Manor House, Barn house and Heritage Suites - the 24 suite 5 star hotel, while Catharina’s Restaurant is situated in the original winery. Catharina’s Restaurant is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves a fine table of contemporary South African cuisine. The highly acclaimed chef, Garth Almazan, ensures innovative 5 star dining amidst ageless culture. Altogether, an exceptional creation in harmony with a magnificent environment.
BISTRO SIXTEEN82
Steenberg has raised the bar with an innovative new Bistro-style cellar door restaurant and wine tasting venue unlike any other in the Constantia Valley. Named BistroSixteen82 after the year in which Steenberg was first established, the interactive wine and food destination has seen an overwhelming amount of local and foreign guests, since its opening in November 2009. With an ambience that embodies opulent chic, BistroSixteen82 seamlessly complements Steenberg's popular fine dining restaurant, Catharina's.
STEENBERG VINEYARDS
Steenberg underwent extensive soil and micro-climatic analyses before a complete replanting programme was begun. There are about 70ha under vine of which 60% is white: Sauvignon Blanc (45% of total plantings) and Semillon. The red varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. The farm is also one of only a handful in the Cape to have invested in the red Italian variety Nebbiolo.
From an initial 2 000 cases, Steenberg Vineyards now produces over 20 000 per annum, with a maximum capacity of ±70 000 cases.
Steenberg can capitalise on its uniqueness due to:
A) Macro-climate: Mild temperature, cool breeze from the sea, reliable winter rainfall, good exposition to sunlight.
B) Meso-climate: Southern-eastern slopes, variety of altitudes ranging from 60m to 160m, proximity to the ocean.
C) Micro-climate: Moderate plant growth, canopy management, soil ranging from low vigour to high potential types.
D) Geographic Placement: Close to the city and harbour.
The philosophy is that the "wines are grown in the vineyard and then cared for in the winery". Special attention was therefore placed in obtaining the very best and latest known clones and matched to the correct soils and slopes.
THE WINERY
JD Pretorius was appointed as wine maker at Steenberg Vineyards in June 2009. He embodies the spirit of the new generation of winemakers, and with his fresh approach and infectious enthusiasm, has already greatly contributed to the success of the 2009 harvest. He learnt his trade from accomplished winemakers such as Erica Obermeyer at Graham Beck Wines, as well as having spent time at Stone Street in Sonoma, Napa Valley, USA.
Farm manager, Johann de Swardt and his staff, tenderly care for the vines, forever sensitive to the whisperings and secrets that the vines unfold.
The icon wines of Steenberg Vineyards are Magna Carta, our white Bordeaux style blend, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. Other wines carrying the Steenberg label are Shiraz, Merlot, Nebbiolo and Steenberg Brut 1682 Méthode Cap Classique.
OTHER FEATURES
In addition to being a premier wine estate, Steenberg has been developed to include an 18-hole championship golf course and residential development. The golf course, originally designed by Peter Matkovich, is in keeping with the natural environment and complements the indigenous character of the estate. The individual holes mirror the environmental diversity of the area providing a varied and unique character to the course. Great care has also been taken in the design of the clubhouse. It is intended to be complimentary to and compatible with the existing buildings on the Werf and to provide a relaxed and informal, yet functional environment for all its members.
The 210 residential erven all have direct frontage onto the fairways providing a "park-like" setting and an open vista extending significantly beyond the boundaries of the properties themselves. Design of the homes is strictly controlled and all conform to a set of architectural and urban design guidelines, which ensures that absolute care is taken in all aspects of design. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that the development is in keeping with the natural attributes of the valley and the architectural heritage of the historical buildings. In this way, a distinctive and consistent architectural style was designed to create a secure and private environment for the residents who now have the added benefit of easy access to the restaurant and guest accommodation, as well as the winery.
Tripadvisor Travellers Choice 2011 –Best Luxury Hotel inAfrica
World Travel Awards 2007 – Middle East and Africa’s Leading Wine Estate