Our History
Legend has it that in years gone by, during mating season, the frogs went down this path to the river were they would mate, hence the name Paddagang - "frog's passage" (translated directly from Afrikaans)
The property has changed hands several times. It is still remembered that the inhabitants had to flee when the river banks overflowed and floaded the house.
As early as 1783, the Roodezand Church Council approved the building of a wine cellar for the minister. Therefore it was appropriate at the time to install a "taphuis" (Tavern) in Church Street. The approval for the "Taphuis came in 1821 to Ryk Meiring, a grandson of the late Church minister. The magistrate granted the approval for a 12 month period and the "Taphuis" had to comply with a list of conditions to safegaurd the welfare of the community and to insure that the public order was not disturbed.
The artist, Phillip Terblanche bought the property shortly before the earthquake. He intended settling here and the Restoration committee agreed to restore the building to make provision for a large studio for him. When restoration was partly completed, Mr. Terblanche sold the property to the co-opperative Wine growery Assosiation (KWV), who decided to start a wine restaurant on the property. Today it is known as Paddagang Restaurant and wine house and a few of Mr. Terblanche's paintings still decorate the walls.
The earthquake practically demolished the beautiful old house in 1969 - as it did the rest of Church Street. After it had been decided to restore Church Street, sponsors had to be found to finance restoration. The KWV became specifically involved as a sponsor to restore Paddagang's building to its former glory and developed Paddagang into a wine house. The concept of good food combined with wine received the highest priority in an effort to improve the wine industry's image.
Mr. Piet Malan and his wife, Mary, played an important role in setting the concept into motion in 1971. In 1974 Paddagang was opened as a restaurant, owned by KWV. In 1985 paddagang was taken over by the Vignerons. Maretha van Zyl is currently running the business.The tradition of good food and wine still goes hand in hand and is still our biggest priority.
The property has changed hands several times. It is still remembered that the inhabitants had to flee when the river banks overflowed and floaded the house.
As early as 1783, the Roodezand Church Council approved the building of a wine cellar for the minister. Therefore it was appropriate at the time to install a "taphuis" (Tavern) in Church Street. The approval for the "Taphuis came in 1821 to Ryk Meiring, a grandson of the late Church minister. The magistrate granted the approval for a 12 month period and the "Taphuis" had to comply with a list of conditions to safegaurd the welfare of the community and to insure that the public order was not disturbed.
The artist, Phillip Terblanche bought the property shortly before the earthquake. He intended settling here and the Restoration committee agreed to restore the building to make provision for a large studio for him. When restoration was partly completed, Mr. Terblanche sold the property to the co-opperative Wine growery Assosiation (KWV), who decided to start a wine restaurant on the property. Today it is known as Paddagang Restaurant and wine house and a few of Mr. Terblanche's paintings still decorate the walls.
The earthquake practically demolished the beautiful old house in 1969 - as it did the rest of Church Street. After it had been decided to restore Church Street, sponsors had to be found to finance restoration. The KWV became specifically involved as a sponsor to restore Paddagang's building to its former glory and developed Paddagang into a wine house. The concept of good food combined with wine received the highest priority in an effort to improve the wine industry's image.
Mr. Piet Malan and his wife, Mary, played an important role in setting the concept into motion in 1971. In 1974 Paddagang was opened as a restaurant, owned by KWV. In 1985 paddagang was taken over by the Vignerons. Maretha van Zyl is currently running the business.The tradition of good food and wine still goes hand in hand and is still our biggest priority.
Tulbagh History
Tulbagh lies in a secluded valley that was originally named Het Land van Waveren by Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel after the influential Van Waveren familyof Amsterdam. The town was proclaimed in 1804 and was named after the former Dutch Governor, Ryk Tulbagh. Enclosed by mountains on three sides, the valley is a mosaic of orchards, vineyards, wheat fields and fynbos-clad mountain slopes. The town is famous for the many magnificent Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings lining Church Street, which stretches between the old Dutch Reformed Church and its parsonage.
On the night of 29 Seplember 1969, Tulbagh was struck by an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale. As a result of the quake. 23 buldings had to be completely restored. The Old Dutch Reformed Church. built in1743 to a cruciform design. is the focal point of the Oude Kerk Volksmuseum. The church, along with three annexes on Church Street, has displays of old furniture and porcelain. as wel as material on the 1969 earthquake and local geology. Other noteworthy buildings include the old Drostdy (1806). Mon Bijou (1812). the Dutch Reformed Parsonage (1769) and Ballotina, with its unusual gable.
Tulbagh lies in a secluded valley that was originally named Het Land van Waveren by Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel after the influential Van Waveren familyof Amsterdam. The town was proclaimed in 1804 and was named after the former Dutch Governor, Ryk Tulbagh. Enclosed by mountains on three sides, the valley is a mosaic of orchards, vineyards, wheat fields and fynbos-clad mountain slopes. The town is famous for the many magnificent Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings lining Church Street, which stretches between the old Dutch Reformed Church and its parsonage.
On the night of 29 Seplember 1969, Tulbagh was struck by an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale. As a result of the quake. 23 buldings had to be completely restored. The Old Dutch Reformed Church. built in1743 to a cruciform design. is the focal point of the Oude Kerk Volksmuseum. The church, along with three annexes on Church Street, has displays of old furniture and porcelain. as wel as material on the 1969 earthquake and local geology. Other noteworthy buildings include the old Drostdy (1806). Mon Bijou (1812). the Dutch Reformed Parsonage (1769) and Ballotina, with its unusual gable.
