Elgin Cool Wine Valley: Closer than You Think...
- Alika Matthysen
- Nov 15, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 3
When thinking of the Winelands in South Africa, a route that usually does not come to mind first is Elgin. However, it is one of my favourite routes. Often referred to as our "Little Burgundy", Elgin is South Africa's coolest wine region and lies just over an hour from Cape Town—close enough for a day tour (or for an overnight on your way to the Garden Route)—where one can taste Elgin's cool climate wines surrounded by the beautiful Kogelberg mountains. The king and queen of the area, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, aren't the only great varietals produced here, making this wine route worthwhile for many palates.
I recently took Rob and Leoné for a Meet the Winemakers tasting tour. Their experience is worth sharing and highlights how Elgin is for everybody—novices and fundis—as long as you love exploring, learning, and appreciate beauty.
Rob is an American barbeque chef whose palate has grown to enjoy bold reds, and Leoné from South Africa enjoys white wines. They wanted to find a wine they could both enjoy, together—and in Elgin, they did. The Pinot Noirs in Elgin are not too bold or heavy, with a natural acidity that Leoné truly enjoyed. She was surprised at how much more she enjoyed Elgin's Sauvignon Blancs than others she's familiar with. Even though Pinot Noirs aren't bold, Rob found the complex, yet balanced characteristics prominent enough for him to appreciate and enjoy with Leoné. Rob is not a Chardonnay fan but he experienced Elgin's as the best he's ever tasted. The winning wine for their upcoming date night was Radford Dale's Gamay Noir from their Vinum Range (Stellenbosch); I have yet to find someone who does not like this gem.
Rob wanted to become more skilled at pairing wines with his dishes, and at the end of the day, came to the conclusion that he will design dishes around wines selected, instead of the other way around. Leoné wanted to have lovely tasting experiences and learn. She was amazed at all the effort that goes into winemaking and how much the process entails. The winemakers had full days with it being peak harvest but still made time to sit with us. Rob and Leoné were delighted with the knowledge they gained from the passionate winemakers who sat with them—from Leoné learning that Merlot and Syrah are different cultivars of grapes, to Rob learning that Elgin's cool climate and regular cloud cover allows for natural acidity, more even bud-break, and fuller phenolic ripening. Both of them were also impressed that Elgin producers harvest manually and emphasise sustainability in their practices.
Below, I share some images and experiences from destinations in Elgin that I have included in a Meet the Winemakers Tour, including destinations I didn't get to show Leoné and Rob; There is only so much time in a day, and rushing to squeeze in as much as possible is not enjoyable. Although I have just shared highlights from recent tastings that I arranged with passionate winemakers, there are many more wineries worth exploring in Elgin. Here is the Wines of Elgin Map for your perusal:
Radford Dale Organic
Here one can taste wines from Radford Dale's certified, truly Organic Estate in Elgin, plus other ranges from their Stellenbosch vines on the ocean-facing granites slopes of the Helderberg mountain. Jeanne is always delighted to receive guests and selects wines that takes one through a personalised tasting experience with genuine passion, knowledge, and excitement. I have never spent less than two hours here, always leaving on a high. Her husband, Gerhardt, a winemaker and the Elgin Estate Manager, happily pops in between his duties to walk you through the vineyards and impart extra knowledge during tastings.
Radford Dale Organic is open daily from 09:00 to 16:00, and tastings are by appointment only (call 021 846 8060) at R150 per person. https://www.radforddale.com/pages/about-us
Elgin Vintners
Accommodation available - Boutique Country Guest House
Augustus(Gus) Dale is the business manager, winemaker, and viticulturalist at Elgin Vintners. Gus is my first call when bringing guests to Elgin and I plan itineraries around his availability. Gus always makes an effort to meet my guests in the cellar or tasting room. His ability to impart knowledge about winemaking, viticulture and sustainable practices, to novices and fundis alike, is beyond anything I have experienced. I cannot wait for his introductory book on Viticulture & Winemaking to be printed and made available.
Their jungle gym is within eyesight of the tasting room and is great if I want to bring my friends with their kids along. Wandering the grounds with terraced gardens, large lawns, ancient trees, and a secret fairy garden is a delight.
Elgin Vintners is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00 (I have found them open daily during peak season) but one is always welcome to contact them (or Elegant Drinks) and see if a special arrangement can be made: 021 848 9587. Tastings are R65 to R180 per person. If the pizza oven is going, guests can do a pizza and wine pairing at R200/p. Further, the tasting room has pizzas, salads, and platters available. https://elginvintners.co.za/
Paul Wallace Wines
Accommodation available - Vineyard Cottages
It was the Wallace family's busiest harvest day but Paul hosted a wonderful laid back tasting on the porch of a converted cottage tasting room whilst looking over the vineyards and beautiful dam. Paul has advised over 900 farms on viticulture and here at Wallovale Vineyards he can practice what he has advised. We were delighted to be greeted by Nicky, youngest winemaker son (Bobby), and two beautiful wine-farm-doggos too. The renowned Black Dog Malbec was named after their first legend, Jake, who passed away in 2018. Be sure to include this gem in your tasting selection!
With it being harvest, we could taste some Malbec grapes along with the wines, whilst Paul told us about the importance of planting vines correctly, and how he is learning from Bobby in the age of access to technology and information. We found all their wines unique and thoroughly tasty, making it difficult to choose what we want to take home.
Paul Wallace Wines is open for tastings on Saturdays 10:30-17:00, most days December/January, or by appointment (call Nicky to arrange a tasting on 083 255 1884). Tastings are R90/p for 8 wines. https://www.paulwallacewines.co.za/contact.htm
Almenkerk Wine Estate
The views from Almenkerk are exquisite and there is an inside fireplace for colder days. We were hosted by the tasting room manager, Famous, and his infectious smile. Co-owner of Almenkerk, Natalie, and their sweet wine-farm-doggo joined the tasting and told us about her and Joris's Belgian roots, the terroir, and winemaking philosophies. We then joined winemakers, Joris and Cameron, for a walk through the production cellar. Each vintage features their flagship wine, The Flemish Masters, which is not for tasting but I would love to come enjoy a bottle with friends whilst looking over the vineyards and valley.
Almenkerk is open for tastings Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-16:00 (closed 24-28 Dec, and 1 Jan) at R50 for their Lace collection (3 wines) and R75 for their Almenkerk collection (3 wines). The hiking trail is R50 per person, and cheese & charcuterie platters are available at R395. https://almenkerk.co.za/
Charles Fox Cap Classique Wine Estate
Charles Fox is a wine estate in cool climate Elgin that produces only cap classiques. All three main cultivars used in the Champagne region—Pinot noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier—is planted at and used for Charles Fox bubblies. Sonja runs the the tasting room and, if available, Charles or Zelda Fox happily pops in to greet and host guests. Upon our visit we were hosted by Charles and his son, Quaid (who is now in France until October).
Tastings are R60 (Premium), R110 (Super Premium), and R160 (Full House). Cheese platters are now available at R240 (generously serves 2).
Charles Fox is open weekdays, 10:00 - 17:00, weekends and public holidays 10:00- 16:00, and closed 25 Dec/1 Jan. Contact Zelda or Charles to arrange a tasting: https://charlesfox.co.za/contact/
More than Wine
Including some of these destinations rounded out memorable trips to Elgin. Visit their websites and give them a call to make sure they're open: