The Story of Santa Rosaweg 80
A historic Curaçao home, restored with love and brought back to life as Restaurant & Wine Cellar Quatre Vins.
The home that now houses Restaurant Quatre Vins is located at Santa Rosaweg 80, in the charming district of Burundanga.
The name Quatre Vins is inspired by the French term quatre-vins, meaning four times twenty, the number 80, a nod to our address.
A House With More Than 80 Years of History
Santa Rosaweg 80 was built in the 1930s and served as the beloved family home of the Metsch family for more than eight decades.
In 1940, the house was purchased by Bernardo Bruno Metsch, born in 1911 in Kulentsz, Romania. He became well known on Curaçao for Casa Bernardo (Madurostraat 34) and several other shops and businesses on both Curaçao and Aruba.
His home, now restored, remains an important part of the neighborhood’s story.
Traditional Curaçao Architecture
Santa Rosaweg 80 is a classic example of a traditional Curaçao townhouse:
Thick coral-stone and cement walls
Clay cross-tiles commonly used in the area
A stunning central floor of hand-painted 20×20 cm tiles, arranged in their original pattern
Original hardwood floors preserved in what is now the wine shop
Beautiful stained-glass windows in the exterior doors, each contributing to the house’s unique historic charm
During the full renovation in 2023–2024, great care was taken to preserve the home’s authentic character. The iconic façade, doors, tile floors, and hardwood flooring were restored to their original condition.
Restoring the Stained Glass
Time had taken its toll on the stained-glass windows, missing pieces, cracks, and brittle lead-work.
Fernando Ferreira meticulously restored every panel by hand.
He cut and replaced each damaged glass piece, re-set the lead, and rebuilt the windows in his spare hours, a loving project that took over a year to complete.
Terraces, Wind, and Nature
At the back of the house, two large, breezy covered terraces were added, designed in the same original style and offering seating for 40 guests.
Directly behind the terrace stands a majestic Kenepa (Knippa) tree, carefully preserved by designing the structure around it. Its round, lychee-like fruits hang in generous clusters and remain a cherished element of the garden.
Even the roofs of the new terraces honor history:
They are tiled with original-style cross tiles produced by Gebroeders Teeuwen of Tegelen, Limburg, a region famous for clay of exceptional quality. These tiles naturally retain their vibrant orange color because algae cannot adhere to their smooth protective coating.
A Modern Kitchen Rooted in Local Flavors
Behind the house, a spacious, modern restaurant kitchen was built for Chef Ivo Molenbeek and his team.
With more than 30 years of culinary experience, and a lifelong connection to the island, Ivo brings together high-quality local ingredients with refined technique.
Fresh herbs and fruits grow in the planters and garden near the terrace, often harvested just moments before they appear on your plate.
The Wine Cellar Beneath the Terrace
The old water cistern beneath the terrace has been transformed into a full-width wine cellar.
Here, selected wines are stored at the perfect temperature and humidity, in darkness, as they should be.
The atmospheric cellar seats over 20 guests and is used for:
Guided wine and food tastings
Private dinners
Family celebrations
Business events
Art, Restoration & Creative Details
A pergola was added to the front of the house, now beautifully overgrown with grapevines.
The lush garden, enriched by Curaçao’s fertile soil, has become a green oasis with shaded seating areas and a magnificent old plumeria tree taking center stage.
Artist Lammie van Wieringen created two stunning murals on the front façade during her visit to Curaçao. Her colorful designs appear on ceramics, vases, plant pots, and paintings, and are distributed worldwide.
Her brother, Wouter van Wieringen, oversaw much of the structural restoration using as many reclaimed materials as possible:
Old metal gates were sanded, repainted, and reused.
Inspired by the stained glass, Wouter filled the old iron gate panels with vibrant epoxy artworks, now displayed along the cellar stairway.
Wooden frames for doors and windows were crafted using wood from the old backyard fence.
Staves from used wine barrels were transformed into a whimsical decorative centerpiece on the wine cellar ceiling.
Sustainable Energy for the Future
Curaçao’s climate is ideal for solar energy.
Across the property, solar panels generate clean power, allowing Quatre Vins to significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and operate more sustainably.
A Historic Home, Reborn With Purpose
Today, Santa Rosaweg 80 stands renewed, a place where heritage, craftsmanship, culinary passion, and warm hospitality come together.
We are honored to continue the story of this remarkable house and invite you to experience it with us.
