Neethlingshof (1692)

The farm that would become Neethlingshof was first granted to German settler Willem Barend Lubbe in 1692, who named it De Wolwedans — 'The Dance of Wolves' — after the jackals that roamed the Bottelary Hills above Stellenbosch. Grape production began by 1705, establishing the property among the earliest viticultural sites in the Cape.

Charles Marais acquired the vineyard in 1788, still called De Wolvendans at the time. His wife Maria Marais took charge of the cellar and became the first female cellar master in the young colony of South Africa, transforming the estate into one of the most respected wine properties in the region. It was their daughter's marriage to Johannes Henoch Neethling in 1828 that gave the farm its present name. Neethling was a prominent Stellenbosch figure — always impeccably dressed, deeply involved in community life — and earned the nickname 'Lord Neethling' from his contemporaries.

Neethlingshof went on to become one of the original fourteen estates recognised under South Africa's Wine of Origin scheme, cementing its place in the country's viticultural heritage. The estate's iconic pine-lined avenue leading to the Cape Dutch manor house has become one of the most photographed approaches in the winelands.

Today, a new chapter is being written under head winemaker Mika Engelbrecht, who was appointed in 2023 and crowned Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year in 2024. She crafts wines across two ranges: the Estate Range of accessible everyday wines and the Short Story Collection, where each wine tells a real story from the farm's history and conservation work. The Owl Post Pinotage, for example, honours the spotted eagle owls reintroduced to the estate to control vineyard pests naturally — a signature of Neethlingshof's commitment to sustainable farming over chemicals. The Caracal red blend celebrates efforts to restore ecological balance across the property.

The Lord Neethling Restaurant occupies a beautifully preserved Cape Dutch homestead nearly two centuries old, offering fine dining in a setting that captures the estate's heritage. Multiple tasting experiences are available, from the Estate Range selection at R50 for five wines to dedicated Short Story Collection flights and flash food-and-wine pairings. Cellar tours can be booked in advance for those who want to see where three centuries of winemaking tradition meets modern craft.

Set on the Polkadraai Road corridor with sweeping views across the Stellenbosch valley, Neethlingshof is one of the most photogenic arrivals in the Cape — the pine-lined avenue framing the manor house ahead. It offers the rare combination of over three centuries of documented history, a young winemaker redefining the estate's future, and a conservation story woven into every bottle. From the Dance of Wolves to the Owl Post, this is a farm where every era has left its mark.