Named for a woman lauded as being resilient, creative and resourceful, Bertha Wines reminds DAWN JORGENSEN of the power of community and the impact supportive women can have on each other.
Portraits of women adorn the walls of Bertha Wines’ Tasting Room, each with a bright, confident smile. The sparkle in their eyes reflects the soft pink of the chilled Bertha Merlot Rosé that I’m savouring, aware of the legacy of the wine and the woman it’s named after.
The delicate, pink-hued wine offers subtle hints of rose petal, red fruit and zesty strawberries, complemented by undertones of cherry and peony aromas. It’s my favourite colour and preferred style of wine, perfectly paired with Marnella Macarons crafted on the historic Weltevreden 1692 estate just outside Stellenbosch.
In my conversation with Imke Oosthuizen, Bertha’s co-founder, she reminds me of the abundance of goodness and the miracles that happen when women come together to support each other – a philosophy that’s deeply embedded in this range of boutique wines.
WELTEVREDEN 1692
Situated on rolling hills just outside Stellenbosch, Weltevreden 1692 was acquired by André Bezuidenhout in 2012. André has always harboured a great interest in historical buildings, art, music and hospitality and he saw Weltevreden as the perfect place to nurture these interests. He made it his home and dedicated himself to the ongoing restoration of the estate, enlisting his daughter Imke and son Jandré to join him in realising this dream.
André’s family became the sixth to occupy this land since Weltevreden was founded in 1692, when the original title deed was registered to Hans Henske. He is likely to have settled there at the time of the formation of Stellenbosch, and after his tenure the estate came under the stewardship of the Badenhorst, Retief, Smith, Peel and now Bezuidenhout families.
Women gather amid the vineyards to honour the qualities Bertha Wines celebrates.
The property has ties to Piet Retief, a prominent leader of the Boers during the Great Trek of the 1830s who is reputed to have built the original homestead for his sister Deborah Retief and her husband Christoffel Esterhuysen. Notably, it is the only Cape Dutch building with wagon wheels integrated into the gables, symbolising the Voortrekker journey – and where a woman’s initials precede those of her husband’s on the gable.
Constructed at the peak of the Neo-Classical era in the Cape, the property was one of six Cape Dutch houses built to this style in the greater Stellenbosch area.
In 1989 Weltevreden, now a listed National Heritage Monument, was acquired by the Peel family, and it is Chris Peel who receives much of the credit for rescuing the buildings from potential destruction thanks to his meticulous restoration of them and their woodwork. Although large portions of the land were sold off and developed during this period, the heart of the property remained intact.
THE WINE, THE WOMAN
In 2019 an opportunity arose for the Bezuidenhout family to buy back adjacent vineyards. This decision marked the beginning of a new era and the birth of their wine brand, Bertha. The initial idea was to supply their restaurants in and around Cape Town (some might know On the Rocks and Ons Huisie in Bloubergstrand), but for this family on a mission those plans soon expanded.
Having transformed the historic 7ha estate into a boutique winery, they are now producing around 30000 bottles annually. The wines are crafted with dedication by winemaker Bennie Booysen and the vineyards are tended by excellent viticulturist Jaco Engelbrecht and his team.
The focused wine portfolio offers four options: a Sauvignon Blanc, a limited-edition Sémillon, a Merlot Rosé and a Bold Shiraz.
The winemaking process takes full advantage of the south-facing slopes, freshened by the Atlantic breeze from Table Bay. The grapes are harvested by hand in the cool morning hours to retain their fruit profile throughout the winemaking process. This meticulous care results in wines that are fresh, food-friendly and a true reflection of the Cape’s spirit. A new Syrah vineyard is currently under development.
Limited in volume, but rich in heart, early indications suggest that some of the best Syrah in the southern hemisphere will be produced from these slopes.
The range of Bertha Wines proudly bears the name of André’s mother, the Bezuidenhout family matriarch, and pays homage to her unbeatable resilience, creative spirit and uncanny resourcefulness.
Bertha, meaning ‘bright’ in archaic German, lived up to her name as a loving mother and grandmother, a wonderful wife and a caring nurse. Her spirit shone brighter than most and she always made the most of what she had in life, choosing to maintain a positive attitude despite life’s varied hardships.
The wines’ brand name reflects not only Bertha’s personality but also the diverse and adaptable nature of women and serves as a symbol of strength, intelligence and beauty – qualities the Bezuidenhout family celebrate through their wines. In celebration of Bertha’s impressive adaptability across varying situations, they have dedicated their winemaking pursuit to crafting easy-drinking, accessible wines that are fresh and food-friendly.
Bertha Wines’ slogan – ‘bright, bold, spectacular and beautiful’ – encapsulates the wines’ essence and Bertha’s personality. The Sauvignon Blanc’s designation as bright, the Rosé’s as spectacular, the Shiraz’s as bold and the Sémillon’s as beautiful makes them more than wines; they’re a joyful celebration of the women who inspire us every day.
BUILDING A CREATIVE LEGACY
The Bezuidenhout family’s commitment to excellence extends beyond winemaking to the estate as a whole; a painstakingly tended destination that has much to offer.
As well as tasting the wines in the Tasting Room, visitors can enjoy food and wine pairings (small plates with four wines) and macaron and wine tastings. At Jonkershuis Restaurant farm-fresh cuisine inspired by traditional country dishes is served, while accommodation is available at the Manor House and in the River and Werf cottages, which blend historical charm with modern comfort. The grounds feature formal walled gardens, a wedding venue and a children’s adventure playground with giant jungle gyms and a build-your-own-pizza area.
True to the Bezuidenhout family’s vision, there’s an infusion of positive energy and dedication that can be felt in the historical buildings and the art, music and poetry that flow together in and around them, beginning from the drive up the poplar-lined entrance into the landscaped grounds. More than 100 sculptures, mostly by Ruhan Janse van Vuuren and Charles Goddard, adorn the gardens. Significantly, each lane of Sémillon vines is graced by a sculpture that’s been carefully placed to showcase the art of winemaking.
As you explore, snatches of poetry alongside the artworks further inspire creativity. The estate’s extensive art collection includes works by Christo Coetzee, Francis Bacon, Otto Landsberg and Zerk de Villiers.
LOOKING TO A BRIGHT FUTURE
Imke has hosted events at Weltevreden 1692 that bring together inspirational women from all walks of life to share their stories. These gatherings are held at the top of the vineyards and in the tasting room and act as a spontaneous testament to the power of community and the impact supportive women can have on each other. The wines stand proud as an ode to the human spirit and the indomitable nature of those who dare to venture into the unknown with determination and vision. You’ll also find them at the Bertha Wine Bar at 43 Church Street in the heart of Stellenbosch and at partner restaurant Meraki.
After sampling the excellent range of Bertha Wines in the company of fine women, I felt bolder and brighter, as though Bertha’s spirit had been infused into each bottle.
The wines embody a commitment not only to preserving history and honouring a remarkable woman but also to forging a lasting legacy for generations to come. V