BERTHA WINES

Deborah Retief and her husband, Christoffel Esterhuysen purchased the property in 1812. Their initials are moulded into the back gable plasterwork. Deborah was the sister of the famous Voortrekker Leader, Piet Retief. The Cellar gable is dated 1804 and rumour has it that this building was built by Piet Retief... The period 1812 - 1815 was the height of the Neo-Classical era and the Cape enjoyed renewed prosperity. Six important Cape Dutch houses were built during this time in the greater Stellenbosch area, namely, Boschendal, Weltevreden, Zevenwacht, Neethlingshof, Old Nectar and Navarre. Of these, two remain private homes... In 1817 the original house was demolished and a new Cape house was built adjacent to the old one. The Cellar gable of Weltevreden was copied to become the end gables of the new house. The "H" shaped Cape Dutch house, with six elaborate gables is dated 1812. The unusual end gables are in the Cape Flemish style with a crown motif at the top.