Benguela Cove: more than just a wine farm

The Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate is a 200-hectare wine estate, situated one hour from Cape Town International Airport in the Walker Bay Wine Region, Hermanus. While being a working farm, it is also a lifestyle estate amidst the mountains, vineyards, and olive trees.

Our brief orientation and introduction to the team were followed by a cellar tour, lunch, as well as a vineyard tour and wine tasting.

I was immediately intrigued by the dangling chandeliers in the cellar. I mean, every office should have a touch of class. So I asked about it. It turns out it was upon the request of the owner, Penny Streeter. “Sounds like an interesting woman,” I remarked.

And that she is. I'd imagine the story of Benguela Cove is what makes people return time and time again. It's a story you don't expect to hear once you arrive and you set your eyes upon the lagoon, vineyards, mountains, and the classy restaurant. You somehow cannot imagine that the owner was a homeless divorcée once upon a time. And that's why it's such a special story.

The never-say-die woman that she is, Streeter decided to pick herself up and give it one more bash.

The result was a 24-hour recruitment company in the UK called Ambition 24 Hours, a last-minute 24/7 medical staffing agency set up with the belief that hospitals should be able to get staff as and when they need them. The business grew dramatically overnight and quickly had many employees. The business continued to grow and evolve and 21 years later it is still going strong. In 2001, they moved their operations to Cape Town.

Somerset West welcomes new eatery Nom Nom

Ruth Cooper  13 Mar 2018

In 2013, Streeter acquired Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate in South Africa which was always envisioned as a destination that will cater to all, from wine lovers, fine dining patrons to adventure seekers.

We were treated to a lunch and wine pairing at the Moody Lagoon Restaurant. Starters included cured venison with textures of butternut, fennel, and toasted crumble, paired with Benguela Cove Chardonnay 2016.

This was followed by the main course of smoked tomato risotto topped with succulent hake and served with tender stem broccoli, olives, and confit garlic, paired with Benguela Cove Pinot Noir 2017.

Dessert consisted of banana bread pain perdu, ginger sabayon, roasted citrus and yoghurt ice cream, paired with Benguela Cove Noble Late Harvest 2015.

Head Lakeside when travelling the Garden Route

Ruth Cooper  10 May 2017

It’s the ideal place for families to enjoy a fun day, playing a round of Pirate Adventure Golf on the 18-hole adventure course. While the youngsters are working up an appetite, adults can sit back and relax on the viewing deck, sipping on fresh Benguela Cove wines.

There are also 75-minute pontoon cruises (complimentary from 10 September until 10 October). Trips onboard Lady Bonnie leave between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Wednesdays to Sundays.

The skipper transports you across the lagoon where you can wander on a beautiful white beach that separates the estate from the Atlantic Ocean. Check in an hour before your boat trip and stock up some drinks from the cellar door.

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate forms part of the Benguela Collection that includes NomNom Eateries in Somerset West, Lakeside Lodge in Sedgefield, and two UK properties – Mannings Heath Wine and Golf Estate and Leonardslee Gardens. For more, go to www.benguelacove.co.za.