Cape’s Celebrated First Farm.
Steenberg Farm was established in 1682. One might expect the first owner of such an illustrious property to be a wealthy chap named Meneer Steenberg, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Catharina Ras was the first owner of Steenberg. She was a young pioneer in an era when women had no legal rights and were very much subservient to men. She was born in Lübeck in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany. She was a widow at 22 and evidently could see no future for herself in her home country.
Catharina stowed away in a ship bound for the Cape in South Africa, disguised as a man. The Cape was no easy place for a lone woman to settle so Catharina found a husband whom she married within two months of her arrival. He was a man called Hans Ras who had a house on the Liesbeek River. Hans was to be killed by a lion some years later. It is said that Catharina shot that cat herself.
Catharina married again to a man who was murdered by a tribesman. She was still not put off by her bad luck with marriage, and tied the knot with a man who was subsequently trampled by an elephant. Catharina’s fifth husband, a German called Matthys Michelse outlived her.
Catharina Michelse, or The Widow Ras, asked Simon van der Stel for a portion of ground at the foot of the Ou Kaapse Weg. 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”. Catharina Ras became the very first woman in South Africa to become a landowner, and Steenberg the first registered farm. The farm’s original name was ‘Swaaneweide’, the Feeding Place of Swans – although those birds are in fact spur-winged geese and not swans at all. They can still be found on the estate.
Award-winning winery
Steenberg Farm has changed hands down the centuries. Graham Beck bought Steenberg Hotel and Steenberg Winery in April 2005. Steenberg Hotel is now a luxury destination, with two fine restaurants, an award-winning winery, a championship 18-hole golf course, private homes and a world-class spa set amongst the estate’s astounding natural landscape.
And what of those wines? They are now available in the UK and they are exceptional. Think outside the box with your wine selection. Steenberg Farm suggest their sparkling wine offerings throughout the meal. No, that is not a traditional approach, but everybody loves bubbles, and they are the perfect accompaniment to any celebration meal. Try Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay Cap Classique NV with your first course of smoked salmon. A marriage made in heaven. This bottle is outstanding value for money. It presents exotic fruit with light freshness. The perfect fizz for pre-dinner nibbles, too.
The Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc 2023 has notes of nasturtium, asparagus and green pepper with a hint of minerality. It pairs well with lightly dressed salads and vegetarian dishes. Enjoy with feta cheese. An amazing wine for the price.
If you are looking for a wine to put down for a couple of years, then this is the one: Steenberg Merlot 2021 offers all the classic expressions of this style. It has plenty of luscious red fruits, hints of vanilla with balanced acids and tannins. It’s the wine to pair with robust roast dinners, meaty game dishes and strong cheeses. Yes, it’s a bottle for Sunday dinner.
I am impressed by Steenberg Farm wines. The whole range is without exception well-crafted, with unbeatable value for money for such quality. Seek them out and you won’t be disappointed.