Steenberg, originally known as Swaaneweide (the feeding place of swans), is located about 20 minutes from the Cape Town city centre. In 1682 Catharina Michelse, also known as The Widow Ras (Michelse was the name of her fifth husband) asked Simon van der Stel for a portion of ground at the foot of the Ou Kaapse Weg and he agreed to lease 25 Morgen to her. After he became the owner of Groot Constantia in 1685, she asked him for a legal title deed and a mandate was granted to her in 1688 to ‘cultivate, to plough and to sow and also to possess the farm below the stone mountain.’
In 2005 Graham Beck bought the estate, which is still owned by his Kangra Group. The original Manor House has been restored and declared a Provincial Heritage Site and the farm includes the 5-Star Steenberg Hotel & Spa, a tasting room and two restaurants. The estate produces some of the finest Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Cap Classique in South Africa.
This Bordeaux-style blend is made from 79% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is named for the farm’s original tough-spirited founder.