History: Oude Wellington was originally known as Onverwacht, meaning "un-expected" in Dutch. This rings true, because unexpectedly a green valley opens before you when entering the Wamakersvallei (valley of the wagon builders) at the foot of the Hawaque Mountains. Its slopes extend to the farm. First buildings date back to 1790 and was allocated to Johannes Jacobus van der Merwe on 12th February 1782 an immigrant from Holland. Other owners include Johannes Petrus Louw, Mabel Jane Malcolm, G.W.D. Walters, Nicolaus Gabriel Vos and Mr. Benni Kok. The town of Wellington (named after the Duke of Wellington) developed only later with the steady growth of new immigrants that were heading towards the Karoo with their ox-wagons and all their possessions. The mountains stopped the trek until the wagons were taken apart for the difficult passage across the passes. A small industry of wagon builders settled at the foot of the mountains. Hence, the valley was dubbed Wamakersvallei until Mr. Bains, a British engineer, built the Bainskloof road across the pass. In the following decades the renamed Wellington received city-rights and grew fast to almosy reach today's size
In 1995 the present owner bought the farm, which was in a pitiful state and restored it to its former beauty. In the same year a small wine cellar was established that produced a fine red wine. Not much later, the brandy cellar was added. Piece by piece the derelict buildings came into use again. Restored and improved, re-thatched and rebuilt. Original gables were restored to their former historic character as part of Cape Dutch architecture.
Today the farm has guest accommodation in the original farmhouse and slave quarters. Air-conditioned and restored, with separate entrances and en-suite bathrooms, there is little left of the hardship the first settlers had to endure to make a living on this land. The area of Wellington is the main producer of stockies (young wine nursing) for the entire wine industry. Dried fruit, leather products and spectacular landscape invite the visitor to stay and experience hospitality and nature. Several private cellars are proud to present their award-winning wines, which are among the best the Cape has to offer.
The story of the yellow boots
We are often asked what is the meaning of our logo "the yellow boots".
Our English readers will know immediately. In English " Wellingtons" are a pair of rubber or gum boots to work in wet or farm environment. In Germany the fisherman wear the bright yellow rubber boots as a good contrasting colour to the colours of the sea. My family name Schumacher also refers to shoes and boot making so the two worlds and languages met and the idea of the yellow boots logo was born. You also find them in our crest together with the lion and the lilies. The lion stands for liuw revier (the name of the stream running through the farm) and is the symbol of the province of Hessen in Germany where I grew up. The lilies represent the heritage of french wine making in the Cape and three of them are in the crest of my hometown Wiesbaden in the province of Hessen. The inscription around the crest reads the Latin words: "in vino veritas" which means "in wine [there is] truth" referring to the fact that alcohol loosens the tongue. The second wording is the original longer quote "vulgaqua veritas iam attributa vino est" what means "Common truthfulness is assigned to wine" actually referring to unaltered, undiluted wine. The river symbol in the middle refers to the Rhine river passing my hometown Wiesbaden and the beginning of the famous wine region known for its Rieslings grown along its meanders and again the lieuw revier on the farm separated from the boot to symbolize the immigration across water.
(valley of the wagon builders) at the foot of the Hawaque Mountains. Its slopes extend to the farm. First buildings date back to 1790 and was allocated to Johannes Jacobus van der Merwe on 12th February 1782 an immigrant from Holland. Other owners include Johannes Petrus Louw, Mabel Jane Malcolm, G.W.D. Walters, Nicolaus Gabriel Vos and Mr. Benni Kok. The town of Wellington (named after the Duke of Wellington) developed only later with the steady growth of new immigrants that were heading towards the Karoo with their ox-wagons and all their possessions. The mountains stopped the trek until the wagons were taken apart for the difficult passage across the passes. A small industry of wagon builders settled at the foot of the mountains. Hence, the valley was dubbed Wamakersvallei until Mr. Bains, a British engineer, built the Bainskloof road across the pass. In the following decades the renamed Wellington received city-rights and grew fast to almosy reach today's size
