You visit Vergelegen for wine grown under camphor trees planted in 1700, in a landscape where sustainability shapes every decision. The estate manages its own water supply from the Lourens River, stored in a dam and treated on-site, with wetlands restored after clearing invasive plants. Solar panels power the winery, and a one-megawatt battery keeps operations running during harvest.

The vineyards use a trellis system that packs more vines per hectare, with clover planted between rows to suppress weeds naturally. Biological pest control includes drones that release predatory wasps and ladybugs to combat mealybugs, reducing the need for chemicals. The estate has some of the oldest virus-free white wine vineyards in the world, a result of twenty years of targeted research.

Beyond the vines, Vergelegen holds a 1980-hectare nature reserve where eland, bontebok, and Nguni cattle graze among restored fynbos. The reserve shares the same protection status as Kruger National Park. Visitors can tour the arboretum, where a thousand trees are planted annually, or walk paths lined with yellowwoods and milkwoods.

The original homestead, restored in the 1920s, stands near Africa's oldest living oak tree. The library houses a collection of books on history, travel, and botany, including a 17th-century Dutch gardening manual. Meals are served under the camphor trees, with wine pairings from the estate's own bottles.

Vergelegen recycles twenty-six to thirty-three tons of waste each year, including grape skins composted back into the vineyards. The estate has been a Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Champion since 2005.