We believe in slow, honest growing — guided by the rhythms of nature
Heritage and Architecture
Built in 1860, the Cape Dutch homestead stands with its original thatched roof, straight-edged gables, and graceful L-shaped layout — a living example of 19th-century rural craftsmanship.
The Wine Cellar & Annex
An adjoining wine cellar, with original doors and a loft accessed by an outdoor staircase, adds rustic charm. A flat-roofed annex — common in the era — tells the story of how these homes evolved with each generation.
A Recognised Heritage Site
Declared a Provincial Monument in 1975, the homestead is more than a landmark; it’s a treasured piece of South Africa’s rural history.
Our Living Home
Today, it’s not just preserved but lived in — restored with care, warmed by family life, and shared with guests as part of the ongoing Klein Nektar story.
Meet the Steyns
We are Johan and Helen Steyn — passionate South Africans, lifelong lovers of the platteland, food, wine, and the great outdoors.
A Place with a Past
Built in 1860. Reimagined for today
Our Roots
Johan grew up in Reivilo in the Northern Cape, where his family farmed with cattle. Helen spent her childhood in Nelspruit and Sabie, with long school holidays on my grandparents’ farm in the Lowveld. These early experiences instilled in us a shared love for open spaces, honest living, and nature’s quiet rhythms.
The Weekend That Changed Everything
In 2016, a spontaneous trip to the Robertson Wine Festival led us to Montagu — and to Klein Nektar. The moment we stepped onto the estate, we felt its serenity. The Cape Dutch homestead stood quietly under the mountains, and something in us shifted. It felt less like a discovery and more like coming home.
Taking the Leap
When the opportunity arose in July 2020 to purchase the estate, we didn’t hesitate. Klein Nektar became our home and life’s project — a place to restore, nurture, and share. Since then, we’ve brought the land back to life, tended olive trees and vines, and created spaces where guests can slow down and reconnect.
Life on the Farm
A small farm with a big heart
Our farm may be small, but every corner is alive with purpose:
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Chardonnay Vineyard – 0.5 hectares, hand-harvested, producing small-batch wines in collaboration with local winemakers.
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Olive Grove – 350 Mission olive trees, cared for and harvested by hand to create cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil.
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Fruit Orchard – Seasonal stone fruit, citrus, pecans, and almonds — enjoyed fresh, preserved, or shared with guests.
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Vegetable Garden – Heirloom vegetables and fragrant herbs, grown naturally for flavour and freshness.
Free-Roaming Chickens – A happy flock that enriches the soil and fills our baskets with fresh eggs.
The Lifestyle We Love
Slow days, starry nights, and space to breathe
Our days here are shaped by simple pleasures:
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Morning – Sunrise light spilling over the mountains, coffee in hand, birdsong in the air.
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Afternoon – A walk through the vineyard, time with the garden harvest, moments of stillness.
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Evening – Stars lighting the Karoo sky, a crackling fire, and unhurried conversation.