The Elgin Valley Wine Route: a feast of vines, flowers and fruit in Western Cape

TThe Elgin Valley Wine Route’s great allies in producing high-quality wines are altitude and a cool climate. 

Amid a patchwork of farms, vineyards, and fynbos reserves in the foothills of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains, the Elgin Valley Wine Guild’s wine producers find the ideal terroir for growing noble grape varieties. 

Variations in meso-climate, altitudes ranging from 300m to 600m above sea level, and soils ranging from Table Mountain sandstone to Bokkeveld shale combine to shape the character of the New World-style wines from this region. 

On the wine route, cool south-easterly sea breezes follow cold winters with abundant rainfall. 

In this elevated zone, extensive cloud cover during the growing season sees fruit ripen up to 2 months later than it does in other Cape vineyards. In most instances, this extended time on the vine contributes to the harmonious balance of low pH, good natural acidity and ripe flavours found in Elgin wines. 

Along the Elgin Valley Wine Route, visitors will find an abundance of award-wining Sauvignon Blancs, with the distinctive minerality, crisp acidity, freshness and – after some maturation –  fruitiness typical of cool-climate whites. 

Elgin’s earthy, terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Syrah wines, with excellent ageing potential, are also grabbing awards and wine lovers’ attention. 

Additionally, Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and small experimental quantities of Grenache Noir are grown here. 

Certain Elgin Wine Valley Guild estates, including Paul Cluver, Almenkerk, Elgin Vintners, Highlands Road, Oak Valley, Ross Gower and South Hill Vineyards, are open for public tastings. 

Tastings at Arumdale, Belfield, Elgin Heights, Elgin Ridge, Elgin Valley Vineyards, Iona, Kingsbridge and Shannon Vineyards are by appointment only. 

A leisurely self-drive meander along the Elgin Valley Wine Route begins outside the village of Grabouw at Oak Valley Estate. Off the N2, on the Viljoenshoop road, visit Elgin Vintners, a partnership of 6 dedicated grape growers, and the new Almenkerk Winery. 

Return along the Viljoenshoop road and turn right into Highlands Road. Here, you’ll reach Highlands Road Winery, which has a superb deli and offers light lakeside lunches. 

Off Highlands Road, in Valley Road, sample Ross Gower Wines’ Pinot Noir Brut, Elgin’s first Cap Classique (as the sparkling wines from this region are designated). Farther along, South Hill Vineyards has an art gallery and fine-dining restaurant. 

Your final stop on Valley Road is the multiple award-winning estate of Paul Cluver. Its Weisser Riesling noble late harvest is a sweet ending to your Elgin Valley Wine Route adventure.