Elgin Ridge is a Demeter certified Biodynamic estate in the Elgin region of South Africa.
Owners: Brian and Marion Smith. From the UK, sold their successful IT business in London having decided it was time to make wines in small quantities that reflected their passion. They concluded the Elgin Valley in South Africa was the ideal place. The small farm they purchased was run down but showed great potential. The couple planted their first vines from April 2007 with the help of viticulturist Kevin Watt, with winemaking consultant Neils Verburg.
Vineyards: The estate is a 1,800 hectare farm, with most of the area devoted to fruit production. On the farm there are 48 hectares of vineyards: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir. SB clones: 159 (NZ clone), 108 (on R110), 316 (on R110), 317 (on R110, 0.34ha planted 2008). PN clones: 0.28ha of 667 (on 101/14) planted 2008 for fizz base wine. Also PN 777. Chardonnay clones: CY95 (on R110, 0.13ha, 1999). Semillon clones: 317 (0.34ha on R110) and GD14 (on 101/14, 0.9ha planted 2009. Half died from nematodes.)
Organic certification: 2007 April purchased farm. No non-organic products used. 2009 C1. The owners were given a 12 month reduction in the conversion period as the farm had not been in use for several years before they bought it. | 2011 Full organic status for the first time from 3rd December 2011 by SGA. | 2012 this crop will be made with 100% organic grapes. Monty visited Elgin Ridge and suggested they got cows for their Biodynamic preparations. | 2017 This vintage will be Demeter certified, the 3rd wine estate in South Africa to have Demeter certification.
Terroir: The vines lie at 282 metres above sea level on land that was and still is completely untouched by chemicals. We recycle our farm vegetation and make our own compost. Pest control: Peking ducks (which are hatched on our farm) for snail control. The Dorper sheep (3 in 2012) are for weeds. Sprays: Bio-Insect. Also use Guano from Namibia and Seagro (they find this hard to source). Also chickens. Also a non-organic apple orchard (1.5ha. Royal Gala, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith) which is profitable. In 2011 Marion said she had stopped weedkillers on the apples.
Winery, winemaking: Niels Verburg (of Luddite wines) consults. Steel tanks. Italian press. In 2009 the wines were made at Iona (2,000 bottles). In 2010 the wines were made here. In 2011 9,000 bottles of Sauvignon Blance were made. They bought in grapes from Paul Kluwer to make Chardonnay (2,500 bottles) as their own first crop of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay went for sparkling wine (Marion’s Bubbly – not for commercial sale). In 2012 they will make their first PN (in barrel) and this may be the first organic South African Pinot Noir. Also in 2012 they made a sparkling Chardonnay (2,500 bottles) which will be for commercial sale (no name as yet). Will try and lees age it rather than release it too quickly which is the SA trend.
Other activities: Apples. Ducks (for pest control).
The Elgin Valley is one the South Africa’s ideal wine-growing regions for many reasons: A unique confluence of diverse micro-climates with close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean; cooling cloud cover and high altitude and cold winters and adequate rainfall with complex, ancient soils. Grapes in Elgin take longer to ripen on the vines, which means low pH, good natural acidity and perfectly balanced ripe flavours. Very dry Sauvignon (about 2g/l RS), crisp, clean and fresh, with that trademark Elgin minerality. Latest news… Elgin are in conversion to biodynamic viticulture (Marion’s ducks will have some cows for company.)
White wines
Sauvignon Blanc:
Red wines
Pinot Noir:
Contact
Elgin Ridge
Appletiser Road
Elgin 7180, South Africa
Website: www.elginridge.com