In just a few years, the South African region of Elgin has made a name for itself as an exciting place for grapes such as pinot noir, syrah, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. It is supposedly the coolest wine region in South Africa, thanks to the cooling effects of the ocean winds. We have tasted some delicious wines from Elgin Vintners, a pioneer producer in the area.
Elgin is just over an hour’s drive southeast of Cape Town. After driving through Somerset West, Stellenbosch’s easternmost outpost, you pass the spectacular Sir Lowry’s Pass and end up in Elgin, a paradise for the apple lover. Elgin is home to more than half of South Africa’s apple orchards. But today, the wines are getting more attention than the apples.
It is a beautiful, lush, green, rolling landscape. The vineyards are at around 300 meters altitude. The south coast and the neighbouring wine region of Walker Bay are close by. The summers are warm, with about 25 degrees C, but rarely hot, although temperatures can reach 30 degrees. The coolness comes at night when it can drop to 12 degrees. This contributes to the intense aromas and fine acidity that we find in the Elgin Vintners wines.
The cold Ocean winds slow the ripening of the grapes, even though the surrounding mountains, to some extent, protect the vineyards. Elgin Valley is actually surrounded by mountains on all sides. The harvest is several weeks later than in other wine regions in the country. Most years, it rains enough, just over 1000 mm; around a third falls during the summer. It is one of the wettest regions in South Africa, and the winegrowers have to deal with downy mildew and botrytis in some years.
The apple industry has had its ups and downs, and some farmers began to diversify about 20 years ago. They started growing grapes. At this time, Elgin had already attracted some attention as a potentially exciting wine region thanks to the cool climate.
Elgin Vintners
Elgin Vintners is a collaboration between some of these farmers that dates back to2003. The very skilled winemaker is Marinda Kruger-Claassen.
The wines from Elgin Vintners are exceptional. And very competitively priced. We highly recommend the five wines that we tasted.
Cloud Haven Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Elgin, Elgin Vintners, South Africa
A delicious sauvignon blanc with a mild aromatic character. My first thoughts actually went to chenin blanc. Peaches and citrus aromas. It is full-bodied with high and refreshing acidity, good structure and balance. (~13 euro)
Elgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Elgin, South Africa
This is also a superb sauvignon, quite aromatic with green apples and distinct acidity. The grapes are picked early in the morning. After destemming and crushing, the grapes are left to macerate at cold temperature to avoid fermentation (with dry ice) for four hours before pressing. This extracts a some extra flavour and character from the skins. The must ferments in cement eggs and stainless-steel tanks. (~15 euro)
The Century Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2017, Elgin Vintners, Elgin, South Africa
As countless Bordeaux wines have shown us, sauvignon blanc and sémillon are a successful blend. This is a remarkable wine. It is flavourful and delicious with green apples, citrus, fresh herbs and also honey and beeswax. It has a lovely, refreshing acidity. It is full-bodied with a mouth filling texture. Very delicious and very enjoyable. (~17 euro)
Elgin Vintners made its first vintage of this wine in 2011. That same year, Douglas Moodie turned 100 years old. Douglas is a famous and influential person in Elgin as he was one of the founders of the region’s fruit industry. The wine was named Century as a tribute to him.
Ridgelands Syrah 2016, Elgin Vintners, Elgin, South Africa
Ridgelands Syrah is a concentrated, slightly peppery and elegant syrah reminiscent of the northern Rhône, but with somewhat riper fruit (but not the least bit “jammy”, if you’re afraid of that). Good structure, dark berries, fresh acidity. A really superb wine. (~20 euro)
Ridgelands Pinot Noir 2018, Elgin Vintners, Elgin Valley, South Africa
Light in colour, as are most pinot noir wines. On the nose, there are strawberries and other red berry aromas. The palate is soft and smooth with a refreshing finish. It is easily recognised as a pinot noir. It is partly whole-bunch fermented, contributing to the lovely fruit. Fermentation in open tanks with pigeage, punching down, twice a day. The wine is aged in 228-litre barrels for 11 months. (~20 euro)
The Ridgeland wines come from specific vineyards located 12 to 20 km from the sea. The surrounding mountains protect the area from often powerful south-easterly winds in summer.
Definitely a range of wines worth exploring!
More pictures below.
Travel
You can discover many of the fabulous South African wines on a wine tour to South Africa with BKWine Tours, also including Franschhoek, Walker Bay, Elgin, Stellenbosch and much else.
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