Classified! Elgin checklist for wine lovers seeking gems of the district
ELGIN’S strong suits are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, in that order. This district of the SA winelands is also home to some interesting white blends, Riesling, Shiraz and then some. Not all of the producers open their doors to the wine-loving public all of the time, with some only offering tastings and sales at their cellar doors on certain days of the week/month or during special occasions such as the Cool Wine & Country Food Festival, and some by appointment only.
If you’re a bubbly fan, the Cap Classiques of Charles Fox are appealing, and it’s interesting to note the growing number of wineries outside Elgin using grapes from the area to make some of their wines – Boschendal, Neil Ellis, Sutherland (Thelema) and Vrede en Lust among the standouts. Elgin-based producers of wines included in the SA Classification, however, are as follows:
GEMS OF ELGIN – 2018 CLASSIFICATION
Almenkerk – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Lace Vineyard Blend
Elgin Vintners – Chardonnay, The Century Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Highlands Road – Sauvignon Blanc, Sine Cera (Blend)
Iona – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
Oak Valley – Groenlandberg Chardonnay, Mountain Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Pinot Noir, The Blend
Paul Cluver – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Noble Late Harvest
Richard Kershaw – Chardonnay, Syrah
Shannon – Mount Bullet (Merlot), Rockview Ridge Pinot Noir, Sanctuary Peak Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Spioenkop – Pinotage
• For the most highly rated vintages of these wines during the past couple of years, see here.
