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The new Elgin Valley Wine Route has 16 founding members. All farms and tasting rooms are clearly signposted.
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| | | |  | | Arumdale Farm | Arumdale has been the home of the Simpson family since 1962. Mark Simpson, with Hugenot bloodlines tracing back to 1687 in the Loire Valley, is presently at the helm of this Elgin Vineyard. Inspired by the terroir, and a keen interest in giving reality to a long-term dream, Mark planted the first commercial Elgin Shiraz vineyard as the new century dawned. The vineyard, now extending a mere 10 hectares, has selected clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, to add to the Shiraz. Arumdale's first three harvests were vinified in the renowned Thelema Cellar, achieving early acclaim as Arumdale Cabernet Sauvignon, and Arumdale Shiraz. As of 2006, the wines have been made under the watchful eye of 'rule-breaking' winemaker, Franz-Joseph Blomendahl at Arumdale.
Tasting by appointment.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 848 9880
MOBILE. +27 (0)82 568 5328
www.arumdale.co.za
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| | | | | | | | | | | |  | | Elgin Ridge | Elgin Ridge was established in 2007 by Marion and Brian Smith with the first plantings of Sauvignon Blanc taking place in July of that year. The result is the first vintage of Elgin Ridge 282 Sauvignon Blanc 2009 made from vines planted at a cool 282 metres above sea level. Organic farming methods used include the use of ducks hatched on the vineyard to control pests. These methods ensure that the wine reflects the true character of the terroir with pure, racy, uncluttered, juicy fruit in the attack and a long finish. 2011 will see the addition of Semillon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to the Elgin Ridge range.
Phone to arrange a tasting: Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00.
Weekends by appointment only.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 846 8060
MOBILE. +27 (0)72 705 8469
www.elginridge.com
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| | | | | | | | | | | |  | | Highlands Road Estate | An exciting new winery with a difference. Regularly the partners can be spotted in their kilts doing wine tastings, serving breakfast, making cappuccinos, fly fishing, and sometimes even farming! The farm, well known for its Sauvignon Blanc wines (particularly the Free Run), also has a delicious dry Merlot Rosé and a Shiraz / Merlot blend called Ruadh (Scottish Gaelic meaning "Red" – pure, simple and scrumptious!). Pop in for a relaxed, tranquil, family day out with wine tastings and sales, Deli, picnics, cellar tour and trout fishing. Kids definitely welcome!
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 15:00.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 849 8699
MOBILE. +27 (0)83 797 7027
www.highlandsroadestate.co.za
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| | | |  | | Iona Vineyards | The wines of Iona come from a dramatically unique site in the Cape Winelands. The vineyards are on a mountain plateau 420 metres above sea level, surrounded by the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In a country where cool sites are precious, these vineyards are like gold – the grapes ripening up to two months later than other Cape vineyards and in perfect balance. Iona is South Africa's coolest vineyard site. Since our first release in 2001, the wines of Iona have quickly made a name as being among the finest in the world.
Phone to arrange a tasting: Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00.
Weekends by appointment only.
PHONE. +27 (0)28 284 9680
MOBILE. +27 (0)83 458 3796
www.iona.co.za
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| | | | | | | |  | | Mofam River Lodge | After many years of planting and nurturing their own vineyards under the watchful eye of Farm Manager Chris Coetzee, Mofam have bottled their own wine. Skilled wine maker Justin Hoy, who also produces all of Highlands Road Estate's wines, carefully sculpted these wines, making Mofam a wine producer not to be underestimated amongst some of the top wine estate in the Elgin Valley. Sporting a simple yet elegant white, green and blue label, depicting the banks of the Palmiet River where the Mofam Vineyards are found, the Mofam bottles sit proudly next to top wine labels on the shelf. Keeping it in the family, each 2011 wine has been named after a member of the family, Derek: "Dee", Sharon: "Shaz" etc. If you treasure nature, this is your wine. Conservation is second nature to the Moore Family and their partners. For more than 20 years, they have been protecting white and black rhinos in the African bushveld. In the world renowned Elgin Valley, these wines follow the same precious "green" tradition, saving the pristine Cape fauna and flora.
Monday to Sunday: 09h00-17h00.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS.
Mizpah Road
Elgin Valley
PHONE. +27 (0)21 846 8345
www.mofam.co.za
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| | | |  | | Neil Ellis Wines | Following studies in Oenology and Viticulture, Neil made wines for the KWV, Groot Constantia and Zevenwacht before establishing his own winemaking enterprise in 1986. In 1993, a joint venture was concluded with Hans-Peter Schröder at Oude Nektar in the Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch. Neil produces wines that express the distinctiveness of terroir from vineyards in the Jonkershoek Valley, Groenekloof near Darling and the cooler Elgin Valley.
[ text copied from Cape Winemakers Guild ]
PHONE. +27 (0)21 887 0649
www.neilellis.com
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| | | |  | | Oak Valley Estates | Established in 1898 by Sir Antonie Viljoen, this magnificent 1786 ha family estate is one of the pioneering farms in the country. In 1908 a cellar was built, but was sadly mothballed during the Second World War when fruit was in greater demand. New vineyards were established in 1985, followed by the release of our much-acclaimed maiden vintage in 2003. With vineyards located on mountain slopes over 450m above sea level, ripening occurs slowly, vines bear ultra-low tonnages and troops of baboons compete relentlessly for the spoils.
Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00
Saturday to Sunday from 10h00 to 16h00
Lunch Wednesday to Sunday from 12h00 to 15h30
Dinner Friday from 18h30 to 22h00
PHONE. +27 (0)21 859 4110
www.oakvalley.co.za
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| | | |  | | Oude Molen | The father of South African brandy. The story of Oude Molen is the story of brandy-making in South Africa and of the man who perfected the craft: René Santhagens. A Belgian chemical engineer who studied wine- and brandy making in France, Santhagens set sail to South Africa 1897. He started off in Johannesburg, lured to the fledgling mining town by a burgeoning market for fine spirits. Six years later, Santhagens moved to Stellenbosch and bought a property using money loaned from mining magnate Sir Lionel Philips. By 1910, everything was up and running at the Oude Molen estate and Santhagens set to work producing South Africa's first Cognac-style brandy. Double distilled and aged in French oak barrels, his product was so smooth it established the strict standard that still governs brandy production in South Africa today. Santhagens passed away in 1937, but his legacy lives on, albeit in a different location. In 2006 the distillery moved to a site near Grabouw in the Elgin Valley, where the cooler climate is better suited to making brandy. The new distillery complex has a visitors' centre and tasting room, but you'll find the stars of the show in the distillery itself – three enormous copper pot stills that cellarmaster Dave Acker calls his "big guns". The sheer size of the stills improves the purity of the distillate, which is matured in toasted French oak barrels. As a result, Oude Molen brandies are characteristically smooth, with an unmistakable aroma and taste – just as Mr Santhagens intended them to be.
Distillery tours Monday to Friday: 10h30 and 15h30.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 859 2518
www.oudemolen.co.za
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| | | |  | | Paul Cluver Wines | Pioneers of wine in Elgin – this family owned and family run estate has been instrumental in the success and recognition of this ward as a fine wine producing area of South Africa. Traditional winemaking techniques are used to make elegant, terroir expressive wines. The range includes various styles of Rieslings, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot noir.
Monday to Friday: 09h00-17h00.
Saturdays and Public Holidays: 10h00-14h00.
Closed Sundays and religious public holidays.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 844 0605
www.cluver.com
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| | | |  | | Ross Gower Wines | World renowned winemaker Ross Gower established his own winery in 2004 focusing on producing premium quality wines from pure Elgin fruit. The Gower family is committed to working sustainably with their environment, meaning minimal chemical intervention in both the grape growing and winemaking processes. The winery is constructed of rammed earth, an energy efficient and sustainable method. He is also very proud of Elgin's first, and only Cap Classique, a Pinot Noir Brut.
Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00.
Tours by appointment only. Closed on public holidays.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 844 0197
MOBILE. +27 (0)83 660 6134
www.rossgowerwines.co.za
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| | | |  | | Shannon Vineyards | Shannon Vineyards has unique cool climate terroir, found nestled along the Palmiet River in the acclaimed Elgin Valley. In the year 2000, after 4 decades in agriculture, Shannon Vineyards & Wines was established by the Downes family. This in depth knowledge contributes to their reputation of creating meticulous vineyards in ancient soils. Now they have the pleasure of sharing with you wines from years of research and patience. Visit their beautiful website for more information.
Shannon Vineyards is not open to the public, visits are arranged by appointment only.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 859 2491
MOBILE. +27 (0)83 231 7008
www.shannonwines.com
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| | | |  | | South Hill Vineyards | South Hill Vineyards, on the cool mountain plateau of the Elgin has, since 2001, been transformed from a neglected apple and pear producer to an exclusive boutique wine farm with 28ha under vine. Along with the development of the vineyard has been the establishment of an exclusive venue and guest house which combines a relaxed country atmosphere with uncompromised luxury and elegance and has become the hottest new venue for couples seeking a special country wedding.
Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00.
Weekends from 11h00 to 15h00.
Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12h00 to 15h00 and Saturday Dinner.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 844 0888
MOBILE. +27 (0)83 368 8400
www.southhill.co.za
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| | | |  | | Spioenkop Wines | SPIOENKOP WINES, born out of nothing, high looking out over, and 360 degrees pure enjoyment of the magnificence of Elgin. The philosophy of Koen Roose, winemaker and better known as "the crazy young Belgian", is very clear: "back to basic", "a great wine begins in your head", "be crazy and try something different"! SPIOENKOP WINES, more than just a name, but a history that reflect bravery, perseverance and passion. It was a difficult way to get here in Elgin and if fear or weakness was the key of everything, then Spioenkop was never been born in this beautiful valley: they still need to invent a tractor that is able to work on our steep slopes and in our narrow plant rows AND also the wind is here a big challenge. It's a place that touches every heart, 12 km from the Ocean. From the beginning, it was our crucial goal to source the perfect grapes in Elgin that are unique and fit in the more mineral style of wine we wanted to make ... Enjoy your glass and feel the "Spioenkop Experience" ...
PHYSICAL ADDRESS.
Highlands Road
Grabouw
Elgin Valley
POSTAL ADDRESS.
P.O. Box 340
Grabouw 7160
Elgin Valley
PHONE. +27 (0)21 859 1458
MOBILE. +27 (0)79 491 6613
www.spioenkopwines.co.za
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| | | |  | | Thelema | Thelema's Sutherland farm is situated in the Elgin Valley, 80 kilometres from Cape Town. Once the home of apple orchards, the Sutherland property now bears vineyards, amongst which Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Shiraz and Grenache vines have been planted. The altitude ranges from 130-240 metres above sea-level and the rolling hills provide varied and diverse aspects which translate into a palate of micro climates, enabling Gyles Webb to create wines of great character and finesse.
Tasting only in Stellenbosch:
Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00.
Saturdays from 10h00 to 15h00.
Please note, we are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 885 1924
www.thelema.co.za
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| | | |  | | Tokara | The estate devotes significant capital into ensuring the most cutting edge technologies are available for vineyard analysis and wine production. TOKARA is the first cellar to make commercial use of the NDVI process, which captures both visible and infrared light emitted from vineyards to create a colour index describing variances between cultivated sections. Apart from technology, superior wines require superior raw materials. TOKARA has a highly skilled and tirelessly dedicated labour force, working on some of the most exceptional terroirs in the country. The soil types at TOKARA belong to the Oakleaf and Tukulu families and are classified as high potential, inducing relatively high vigour.
Tasting only in Stellenbosch:
Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00.
Saturday and Sunday from 10h00 to 15h00.
PHONE. +27 (0)21 808 5900
MOBILE. +27 (0)82 414 4024
www.tokara.com
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| | | |  | | Wallovale Vineyards | A small 25 hectare farm on which Paul and Nicky Wallace are realising their dream. To date 10 hectares have been planted with vineyard and the first Elgin Malbec "The Black Dog" Malbec has been released.
Tasting by appointment only.
MOBILE. +27 (0)83 255 1884 Nicky Wallace
MOBILE. +27 (0)82 572 1406 Paul Wallace
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