“The River Life”

The Breede River is the heartbeat of this fruit basket of abundance. Various  grape cultivars, pomegranates, sweet navels, quince, figs – A harvest for every season grown in the fertile river soil. Merwespont has been in the Van Der Merwe family for 4 generations since 1883.

Wine Tanks – From sweet wine to sweet memories

Muscadel is one of the oldest grape cultivars in the Cape, grown in the sandy soil along the Breede River Valley. Exceptional quality dessert wine was and still is, in high demand both locally and abroad. To meet this increase in demand – The 5 original wine tanks were built between 1918 and 1920 to store Muscadel and other wines.

Merwes Pont – What is in a name?

Hennie Van Der Merwe farmed on the banks of the Breede River, producing high quality fresh produce, wines and grain. Reliable transport was essential to get produce to Cape Town harbour for exports to Europe and the rest of South Africa. 

With the New Cape Central Railways (NCCR) railway line hugging the contours of the Breede River valley. This railway line crossed through Hennie’s farm. He was prompted to put a petition together on behalf of all farmers on the banks or this river valley. Thereby requesting NCCR to build a railway siding on his farm where produce could be loaded onto the trains.

During the rain season, farmers couldn’t cross the river at a drift nearby, so they asked Hennie to also request a pontoon ( Afrikaans “Pont” )  to be built to carry their produce across the river to the new train station.

The NCCR agreed to the request. Mr Dawson, an official of the NCCR fetched the petition by train. As the train pulled away he shouted to Hennie Van Der Merwe from the moving train  “What do I call it? Van Der Merwe’s Pont?”. Which shortened to “Merwes Pont”. The Station was built but the Pont was later declined. The name stuck and to this day the farm remains MERWESPONT.

After Hennie’s death, his son Laubscher took control of the farm in 1951. The young Laubscher was instrumental in the establishment of Merwespont Co Op wine cellar, leaving the old wine tanks to be used as storage space and stables for the milk cow-Blommetjie. Laubscher’s three sons Hugo, Willem and Jan continue to farm successfully in the fertile river soil.

Die Houthuis 1967

Laubscher was an industrious, visionary farmer. He saw the potential to share the relaxing river life under the sprawling canopy of trees on the banks of the beautiful Breede River. In 1967 he found an old Jewish school for sale in Cape Town. The spacious wooden structure was bought, carefully transported and placed on the banks of the river, with plenty of deep shade all around. A peaceful setting at the edge of the vineyard.

Die Houthuis (The Wooden House) was used for:

• Christenings
• Weddings
• Family Gatherings
• Christmas parties

One of the oldest known holiday accommodations on the river.

Die Wyntenke – Elegant arched ceiling

In loving memory of their eldest brother Hugos’ passing, Willem and Ronelle wanted to repurpose the historic wine tanks.
Die Houthuis also needed a facelift. So grew the idea to create The River Life Guesthouses-A Farmstay retreat.

Starting with the historic wine tanks – A fascinating transformation, using the elegant arched wine tanks to create a unique farm style experience for guests.

The  beautiful arched ceilings of the Wine Tanks were cleverly incorporated into the timeless design. Complete with the antique green doors where very petite men accessed the cylindrical spheres for a good clean before the new grapes were received.

The 5 tanks in the centre, host the kitchen, bathrooms and small guest room, flanked on either side under a spacious extended roof. On the right, the large family room leads out to the lower and upper level bedrooms.

Glass doors open onto a spacious porch where you can sit under a vine pergola, overlooking the vineyards at sunset for those perfect hot summer days. On the left the stables were converted to an cozy games room with a large indoor braai, ideal for evening chatter and cold winter stays. 

At the WYNTENKE, the history, the proximity to the river, the lush vineyards, makes it a peaceful, playful country retreat. With a short stroll to the river.
– 6 bedrooms can host up to 20 guests

DIE HOUTHUIS offers spacious accommodation for big groups wanting a fun filled river life experience, under arching shade trees on the banks of the river.
– The open plan main hall sleeps 12
– with a well equipped kitchen and verandah.

The latest addition to the Houthuis is 2 new suites, each with a private bathroom. 

In addition, SNOOZER’S COTTAGE offers the same country charm.
– 3 Cozy bedrooms.

Outdoor family fun and group activities offered:

• Canoeing
• Hiking
• Biking
• Volleyball
• Even a Tarzan swing for the brave at heart.
• Sunset strolls through the vines.
• Watching the prolific birdlife from the verandah with sundowners.

As one of the oldest river guesthouses in the valley, it is a true gem for authentic country life.

A remarkable story of fruitfulness and fortitude

The Van Der Merwe family has, through generation, grounded their faith in God’s word from John 7v38

“Whoever believes in Me, Rivers of Living Water will flow from within them”

John 7v38