Why it matters
The producer
De Rust farm in Elgin has been in Clüver family custodianship since 1896. Paul Clüver Family Wines now concentrates on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the two Burgundian varieties named as the winery's focus.
Paul Clüver is managing director, and Andries Burger is his brother in law. Their roles connect family leadership with long running cellar work, while the current wines remain centred on the two varieties.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Elgin vineyards sit about 20 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean and at elevations from 290 to 435 metres above sea level. The combination of ocean proximity and elevation brings maritime and continental influences into the same vineyard area.
Cold, wet winters bring roughly 700 millimetres of rain. Summers stay cool and mild, with marked differences between day and night temperatures. Bokkeveld shale sits over water retaining clay, allowing the clay to hold moisture beneath the vines.
Wines to know
The range in view
The Village range is the accessible, fruit led tier, joining Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Village Pinot Noir 2024 is 100% Pinot Noir, matured in older, larger oak barrels. This élevage produces supple tannins and bright cherry, blackcurrant and wild strawberry fruit. The 2024 wine is medium bodied, with red fruit and ripe cherry aromas, cherry and poached plum flavours, and soft edges.
The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay hierarchies continue through Estate and Seven Flags bottlings. Estate Pinot Noir is aged in new and older French oak barrels. Seven Flags Pinot Noir is spontaneously fermented and aged for 12 months in a combination of new and older French oak. Seven Flags Chardonnay comes from 35 year old vines, the first Chardonnay planted at Paul Clüver Family Wines, and matures in selected Burgundian barrels. Spontaneous fermentation is fermentation begun by naturally present yeasts.