Steenberg (Mountain of Stone) is the oldest wine farm in the Cape Peninsula, dating back to the days of Simon van der Stel. The original land grant for the farm was allocated to Catharina Ustings Ras by Governor van der Stel. Catharina was a controversial character of pioneering spirit, who as young widow had left her native Germany to undertake the perilous journey to the tip of Africa. Although she settled on the farm in 1682, an official mandate was only granted to her in 1688 "to cultivate, to plough, to sow and to possess" the land. She first named it Swaaneweide - the feeding place of swans.

The main avenue of the Estate, Catharina Avenue, was named in memory of this colourful character.