HISTORICAL ROOTS
Elgin, a relatively recent Cape appellation, has a grape cultivation history tracing back to the 18th century; however, most farming done back then was subsistence. Historically, commercial agriculture was hindered by accessibility issues with entry only possible via four steep mountain passes. Prior to the democratic era, the wine industry was also subject to the statutory powers of the KWV following its formation in 1918. The KWV quota system dictated areas where vines could be planted and Elgin was out of bounds for vineyard establishment, as were most of the “new” production areas in South Africa.

REVIVAL ERA
In the mid-1980s, researchers at Nietvoorbij, the state-owned research institute for the wine industry, identified Elgin as a potential cool climate appellation with the opportunity to produce slow-ripening grapes displaying fruit characteristics similar to Burgundy. The research culminated in Elgin being declared a wine ward in 1990 with the surrounding ring of mountains being the obvious natural demarcation boundary.

UNIQUE LOCATION
Elgin is a coastal plateau located just 70km east of Cape Town and is the only South African wine ward surrounded by mountains. Think of it as an elevated bowl, roughly 15km across, where the valley floor is 300 to 550 meters above sea level and home to several farms. The valley floor is divided into fruit orchards, vineyards and pine plantations comprising 7,000 hectares of farmland.

NATURAL ENCLOSURE
The vineyards of Wines of Elgin are nestled within the Kogelberg Biosphere, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Cape Floral Kingdom. It was Proclaimed in 1988 as South Africa’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
Environmental stewardship is paramount in Elgin, with sustainable viticulture practices endorsed by five WWF Conservation Champions and aligning with Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) principles.

DIVERSE TERROIR
Within the valley, there is a seemingly endless series of undulating hills which offer a range of microclimates, so deciding where to establish a vineyard and what to grow is a complex choice. Our soils are made up of Table Mountain sandstone and Bokkeveld shale, a thick pile of sedimentary rock deposited between 375 and 500 million years ago. Our soils are very old and mineral-rich, but nutrient-poor. This contributes to low vigour in the vineyards but produces wines with great complexity.

SUSTAINABILITY EMPHASIS
Wineries in Elgin prioritize eco-friendly practices like regenerative farming, biodiversity conservation, water preservation and sound employment practices.

NATURAL ADVANTAGES
Elgin is known as the coolest Wine Region in South Africa. Shielded from extreme temperatures by its coastal climate and Southeast trade winds, Elgin experiences a notable diurnal temperature difference. The Southeast wind not only brings cooling but also blankets the region with cloud cover. The cool Elgin terroir extends the ripening period on the vine, occurring later in the year, closer to autumn. This delay results in a significant diurnal temperature variation. The slower sugar development during this extended ripening process allows for the accumulation of more aroma and flavour, while simultaneously retaining higher acidity. The outcome is a natural balance that manifests in wines with complex and nuanced flavours.

CLIMATE CHARACTERISTICS
Elgin’s Mediterranean climate witnesses annual winter rainfall between 600 to 1200 mm, bringing snowy winters, refreshing mists, high humidity, long sunny days with occasional cloud cover and light summer rains.

GRAPE VARIETIES
Known for exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc, Elgin also cultivates Riesling, Merlot, Syrah, and various other grape varieties. Currently, it spans about 850 hectares under vine cultivation, featuring primary grapes like Sauvignon Blanc (38%), Pinot Noir (17%), Chardonnay (18%), and Shiraz (7%), alongside Riesling, Viognier, Sémillon, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Gamay Noir.