Vergelegen Wine Estate’s vast one-hectare field of sunflowers has burst into bloom, marking the start of the highly-anticipated annual Sunflower Celebration.
Having been lucky enough in my life to have seen Vincent Van Gogh’s magnificent sunflower paintings in Amsterdam and New York, I am completely enthralled at the magnificent display of these superb blooms at Vergelegen in Somerset West.
Van Gogh was fascinated by these magnificent blooms
Fans of these large, vibrant blooms ‒ which traditionally symbolise warmth, positivity and vitality ‒ can celebrate sunflowers in several ways at Vergelegen.
Vergelegen horticulturist Scott Mpondo (right) and horticultural team member Asiphe Wowo (left).
Freshly picked sunflowers are sold in the Wine Tasting Room, at five stems per bunch, together with a special edition of rosé wine, for R150. A portion of the proceeds will go to honey bee research and honey projects on the estate.
Stables restaurant is offering a small set menu of sunflower- and honey-inspired dishes, in addition to its normal menu. The Rose Terrace Tea Room pastry chef, Tarquin Wagemaker, has created delicious sunflower-inspired cakes.
Vergelegen custodian Penelope Saunders in the wine tasting room. A bunch of sunflowers and a bottle of special edition rosé wine cost R150.
Farm honey is sold at R155/jar and visitors to the Potting Shed Gift Shop receive free packets of sunflower seeds. The field of sunflowers, near the Stables restaurant, is also popular for selfies.
“We expect the sunflowers to continue blooming for about three weeks (to around mid-February) depending on the weather conditions,” say Vergelegen’s resident horticulturists Richard Arm and Chris Randlehoff.
Left to right) Horticultural team members Asiphe Wowo, Bradley Josephs, Samikile Kolisa, horticulturist Scott Mpondo and Siphokuhle Mputa.
Vergelegen marketing manager Caroline van Schalkwyk advises sunflower fans to visit the farm early. “The blooms are picked fresh every day, but sell out fast,” she says. “Stocks of seeds and sunflower-inspired products are limited.”
Horticulturist Scott Mpondo (left) and horticultural team members Samikile Kolisa, Aspihe Wowo, Siphokuhe Mputa and Bradley Josephs
Vergelegen, a provincial heritage site, is open to the public daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The estate charges an entrance fee of R20 for adults and R10 for pensioners and scholars. Pensioners can visit free of charge on Mondays.
Stables restaurant and Rose Terrace Tea Room are open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Stables also offers dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.