Vrede en Lust Wine Estate

The story of Vrede en Lust begins in 1688, when Flemish merchant Jacques de Savoye arrived at the Cape with the French Huguenots and was granted a parcel of land against the foothills of the Napoleonsberg, today known as the Simonsberg. He named his farm Vrede en Lust — Peace and Delight — nurturing a vision of rural paradise in the fertile soils of what would become the Franschhoek Wine Route.

For more than three centuries the land passed through seventeen owners, each contributing a layer to its heritage. When the Buys family became the seventeenth custodians in 1996, they recognised the exceptional winemaking potential that had been quietly waiting in the terroir and embarked on an ambitious programme of renewal. Under their stewardship, Vrede en Lust transformed from a historic property into a breathtakingly modern wine estate without losing its connection to over 335 years of Cape winemaking history.

In 2005 the estate expanded its vineyard footprint by acquiring Casey's Ridge, a 90-hectare farm in the cool-climate Elgin Valley. The cooler temperatures and maritime influence of Elgin proved ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Casey's Ridge Pinot Noir — planted in 2010 and 2011 — has since become one of the estate's most celebrated wines. This dual-terroir approach, combining warm Simonsberg slopes with cool Elgin hillsides, gives winemaker Karlin Nel an extraordinary palette to work with.

Karlin was appointed Cellarmaster in October 2017 at the age of just 25, making her the youngest female winemaker in South Africa at the time. She expertly crafts wines across four distinct ranges — Premium, Flagship, Artisan, and the revered Napoleonsberg collection — using only the highest quality hand-picked grapes and the finest French oak barrels. Her Barrica Semillon from Elgin has earned scores above 93 points, and the estate's range extends across twelve varietals from bold Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz to elegant Riesling and Chenin Blanc.

Dining at Vrede en Lust revolves around two venues. Lust Bistro and Bakery occupies the left wing of what was once Simond's original house, centred on a traditional wood-fired hearth where chefs produce artisanal breads and daily fare that has become a destination in its own right. Restaurant Savoye offers a more refined experience, honouring the estate's French Huguenot heritage with contemporary cuisine paired with estate wines.

Accommodation ranges from intimate Vineyard Rooms and Jonkmanshuis Cottages to the elegant Manor House and The Residence, making Vrede en Lust equally suited to a leisurely afternoon tasting or a weekend escape into the Franschhoek Valley. The estate sits on the Franschhoek Wine Tram route, and its dog-friendly, wheelchair-accessible grounds welcome visitors seven days a week. With over a thousand Google reviews averaging 4.5 stars, this family-owned estate continues to build on a legacy that stretches back to the very first Huguenot settlers.