It is interesting to draw parallels between the wine region of South Africa and the wine region of Bordeaux.

The Cape region is located on the 35th parallel south. Bordeaux is located on the 45th parallel north, so also in a temperate region. As with the Medoc of Bordeaux, the Cape vineyards are located between two bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, it thus enjoys a microclimate conducive to good grape ripening. These vineyards are planted on mountain slopes such as in Stellenbosch, sometimes in valleys like Franschoek, or on plateaux as in Paarl. These differences may be comparable to those that exist in Bordeaux between the regions of St Emilion, Pomerol, Graves and the Medoc. Temperatures are, however, more Mediterranean.

The wines of South Africa are sometimes equated, erroneously, to New World wines like those from Australia and New Zealand. Since these vineyards have been planted since the 17th century (similar timing to the Medoc) by the French Huguenots after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The protestant Huguenots emigrated carrying with them their wonderful vine varieties and settled in this region, keeping their names such as du Toit, de Villiers, Leroy, Marais.. whose families are very proud of their French heritage today.

The vineyards here are therefore 350 years old. Unfortunately they remained unknown to the Northern Hemisphere, the transport conditions were not favourable for their conservation. The magnificent wine of Constantia is mentioned in the memoirs of Las Cases written during the captivity of Napoleon at St Helena. This wine got him a few moments of happiness. At the end of the nineteenth century the vineyards were also hit by phylloxera, vines were uprooted and some areas replanted with fruit trees, as was the case at Glenelly. These vineyards in South Africa are recognized today for their high quality wines.

At Stellenbosch on the foothills of the Simonsberg, the soil consists of decomposed granite, poor soil with good drainage that allows the deep roots of the vine. The Glenelly area covers 128 hectares on the slopes of the Simonsberg, 65 ha are devoted to vines:

Cabernet Sauvignon always assures the structure of these blended wines, like in Bordeaux.

The Shiraz is reminiscent of the Rhone Valley with its aromas of raspberries and currants, the fineness of the notes of red berry and spice.

On the Glenelly Estate, Petit Verdot is a great success, reaching full maturity without problems. It brings the flavours of liquorice and perfumes of violets, making complex wines perfect for aging, but already very balanced in their youth.

The Merlot is proving to be a grape well suited to our terroir, bringing excellent fresh fruit to our Grand Vin blend whilst also being a very complete wine on its own as a single varietal in the Glass Collection.

The parcels of Cabernet Franc are newly planted but they are on one of our best slopes and we hope for great things, perhaps a 'right bank' blend with Merlot as in Pomerol or parts of Saint Emilion.

In South Africa, wine is usually drunk young. But true to the tradition of Bordeaux, Glenelly produces wines with the potential for aging and for drinking today perhaps, later certainly, and even later... if you like to wait! Living messengers of their vintage and their time.

Our Chardonnay is our latest creation. We make two different styles: the first in a complex mineral style with notes from barrel aging. The second will be a lively un-oaked style, with screw caps to preserve the fresh citrus notes.