There’s a gentle revolution underway in Stellenbosch. And it smells absolutely incredible.
Vergenoegd Löw, the centuries-old wine estate on the Cape’s fertile fringe, has just announced that acclaimed chef Michelle Theron is stepping in as the new head of gastronomy – and if ever there were a moment to cancel your weekend plans and book a long lunch, this is it.
More Than a Chef – A Storyteller with a Saucepan
With a career spanning over two decades and a CV that includes high-profile stints at Pierneef à La Motte and Hazendal Wine Estate, Michelle Theron brings not only fine dining pedigree but an uncanny ability to capture emotion, memory, and terroir on a plate.
From September 2025, she’ll oversee the culinary direction of the estate’s two flagship restaurants – Clara’s Barn and Geuwels – both housed in lovingly restored 18th-century Cape Dutch buildings, and both previously guided by the steady hands of Bertus Basson and Drikus Brink.
Michelle Theron Crafting the Next Chapter – By Hand and Heart
“Bertus laid a phenomenal foundation,” says estate MD Corius Visser, “but now, with Michelle at the helm, we’re entering a new phase – one with even greater emphasis on seasonal ingredients, sustainable sourcing, and storytelling through food.”
Michelle Theron’s appointment forms part of a broader transformation under the stewardship of heritage investor Prof Dr Dr Peter Löw, who has spent the last decade shaping Vergenoegd Löw into a regenerative “ecoverse” – a world where farming, hospitality, heritage and the environment are in elegant symbiosis.
Expect menus bursting with freshly harvested produce, dishes inspired by Cape culinary traditions, and wines perfectly paired to whisper the secrets of the soil they were born from.
Clara’s Barn & Geuwels
And if you need further convincing? Clara’s Barn recently earned a coveted two-star rating in the Eat Out Awards. Proof that Vergenoegd Löw is not just talking the talk; it’s plating it too.
📅 Plan your visit. Your tastebuds will thank you.
Vergenoegd Löw Opening Hours: Open Monday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Address: Vergenoegd Löw The Wine Estate, 1 Vergenoegd Road, Somerset West Off R310, Stellenbosch Wine Route
Website: https://vergenoegd.co.za/
Contact Number: 021 843 3248
Email Address: [email protected]
