Steenberg Estate
{{Other uses|Steenberg (disambiguation)}}
Steenberg Estate is the site of the oldest farm in Cape Town, located in the suburb of Constantia. Steenberg is translates as “Mountain of Stone” and is named for the nearby mountain range. The manor house and other buildings on the farm have been declared a national monument.[http://www.sahistory.org.za/places/steenberg-farmstead-tokai-road-constantia Steenberg Farmstead, Tokai Road, Constantia | South African History Online]. Sahistory.org.za (1983-10-07). Retrieved on 2016-07-09. The estate has been redeveloped as a hotel, vineyard and golf course.
History
Steenberg was established in 1682 by Catherina Ustings Ras,[https://web.archive.org/web/20130928151912/http://www.historicalmedia.co.za/?p=43 Catherina Ras – A Pioneer woman]. historicalmedia.co.za a German immigrant to the Dutch Cape Colony. Ras was granted a lease to cultivate the land by Simon van der Stel, then Governor of the Cape. She settled on the farm with her fifth husband, Matthys Michelse. The farm was named Swaaneweide,[https://web.archive.org/web/20120520052459/http://capeinfo.com/more/myths-legends-a-old-folks-stories/570-swaaneweide-and-the-widow-ras Swaaneweide and 'The Widow Ras']. capeinfo.com (4 February 2012) the “feeding place of the swans,” possibly in memory Ras’ hometown of Lubeck, on the Baltic East Coast of Germany. Ras was given the official deed to the farm in 1688 after Van Der Stel had founded Groot Constantia.
Ras sold the farm in 1695 to Frederick Russouw, a prominent member of the Cape’s Citizen Council. Russouw planted the first vines on the estate. After his death the farm continued to be run by his widow, Christina Diemer.[http://www.awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za/atozindex.htm A TO ZEE INDEX Historical Maps Walks, Trails Architecture On A Whale Of A Heritage Route Muizenberg St James Kalk Bay Fish Hoek Valley Glencairn Simon's Town Cape Point] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016000436/http://www.awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za/atozindex.htm |date=2012-10-16 }}. Awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za. Retrieved on 2016-07-09. When The Dutch East India Company made the nearby Simon’s Bay an official winter port{{Cite news|url=http://ancestry24.com/articles/dutch-east-india-company/page/3/|title=Dutch East India Company {{!}} Ancestry24|date=2013-01-17|work=archive.is|access-date=2017-09-01|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130117013624/http://ancestry24.com/articles/dutch-east-india-company/page/3/|archivedate=2013-01-17}} Diemer made a profitable business of supplying goods to the fleet and giving travellers[https://web.archive.org/web/20150524192657/http://imhofffarm.co.za/home/history-of-the-farm/ History of the farm]. imhofffarm.co.za shelter. Under her supervision the farm grew dramatically and 30 000 vines were planted by 1735.
Swaaneweide remained with the family until 1842 when it was sold to Johannes Adrian Louw,{{cite web |url=http://www.kapstadt.travel/169/wineries-steenberg-vineyard/ |title=Wineries - Steenberg Vineyard |website=www.kapstadt.travel |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418172043/http://www.kapstadt.travel/169/wineries-steenberg-vineyard/ |archive-date=18 April 2013 |url-status=dead}} brother-in-law to one of Diemer’s grandsons. The Louw’s retained ownership of the farm for the next 150 years until 1990, when it was purchased by Johannesburg Consolidated Investments (JCI) and redeveloped as a hotel, vineyard and golf course. The hotel was developed from the old farm buildings, the 1740 manor house and the Jonkershuis. The homestead of the farm was declared a national monument in 1983.
The estate changed hands several times until it was purchased by Graham Beck’s Kangra Group.[http://secure.financialmail.co.za/05/0304/focus/dfocus.htm ]{{dead link|date=July 2016}}
Facilities
Facilities at the Steenberg Estate include:[http://www.steenberghotel.com/ Steenberg | Hotel, Catharina's, Bistro1682 and online Wine Shop]. Steenberghotel.com. Retrieved on 2016-07-09. A boutique Hotel which occupies buildings dating back to 1682 as well as some new construction; Vineyards - Wine cultivation at Steenberg dates back to 1695 but it was extensively replanted after the farm was purchased by Kangra. The farm predominantly produces white varieties; and, a golf course – As a part of the redevelopment by JCI an 18-hole golf course was built. The course was designed by Peter Matkovich.
Awards
The Hotel on the Steenberg Estate was voted Best Luxury Hotel in Africa{{cite web |url=http://www.hotelandrestaurant.co.za/tourism/another-top-award-for-steenberg-hotel/ |title=Another top award for Steenberg Hotel « Hotel & Restaurant |accessdate=2012-10-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130422001353/http://www.hotelandrestaurant.co.za/tourism/another-top-award-for-steenberg-hotel/ |archivedate=2013-04-22 }} in 2011 by TripAdvisor. Great Wine Capitals named Steenberg as one of nine global winners[http://greatwinecapitals.com/best-of/cape-town/steenberg-vineyards-0 Steenberg Vineyards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008203201/http://greatwinecapitals.com/best-of/cape-town/steenberg-vineyards-0 |date=2013-10-08 }}. Great Wine Capitals. Retrieved on 2016-07-09. in their Best of Wine Tourism Awards. Steenberg was also rated as a Top Hotel in Africa and the Middle East in the 2011 Conde Nast Traveller US Reader’s Choice Awards.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121012164747/http://www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice/2011/africa-middle-east/top-20-hotels-africa Top Hotels in Africa]. cntraveler.com
References
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Category:Buildings and structures in Cape Town