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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 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. |
(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 Merwei 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