Newsletter – December
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| Dear Elgin Vintners Customer As we step into December, the season is unfolding quickly across Ridgelands. The vineyards are thriving, the estate is buzzing with visitors, and we’re heading into the final stretch before the festive period. |
 Vineyard Update: A Fast-Moving Season Flowering has wrapped up successfully, and fertilisation is complete. Bunches are now forming beautifully, with small pea-sized berries beginning their slow progression into full bunches. With the recent heat, growth has accelerated. Our vineyard team has been working at pace — lifting shoots, straightening branches, and removing excess vegetation. This keeps the canopies open for optimal sunlight, reduces humidity, and lowers fungal pressure while ensuring the bunches remain protected from sunburn. Thanks to strong moisture retention in our alluvial soils, the vineyards are looking vibrant and healthy. Gauteng Trade Visit: Positive Momentum Gus recently returned from a productive trip to Gauteng, accompanied by our newly appointed sales representative, Teri, who coordinated a series of tastings and meetings across the region. With Elgin Vintners shifting towards a fresher, lighter, and more fruit-forward winemaking style, new vintages now entering the market have been very well received. Both private buyers and the on-consumption trade responded enthusiastically, reinforcing that global wine trends are moving in our direction — and that Elgin Vintners is well positioned at the forefront of this evolution. |
 Platter’s 2026 Results: A Record Year The latest Platter Guide results have delivered our strongest performance yet, with four 4.5-star wines:Sandstone Sauvignon Blanc 2023 – 4.5* Highly RecommendedElgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc 2025 – 4.5* (to be released in 2026)Elgin Vintners Chardonnay 2024 – 4.5* Good ValueElgin Vintners Pinot Noir 2024 – 4.5* Good ValueCloud Haven Pinot Noir 2024 – 4* Good ValueGus notes he is “most proud of the Cloud Haven Pinot Noir, only in its second vintage, giving the public access to good quality Pinot at an affordable price.” The Ridgelands Sauvignon Blanc 2023, the first under the new Ridgelands label, narrowly missed 5 stars by just one point. These results affirm our commitment to producing high-quality wines that remain accessible. |
 Estate News: Open Gardens, Art, and New Experiences This year’s Open Gardens weekends drew record attendance. The gardens were in full bloom, complemented by a beautiful exhibition from Helen van Stolk, live music, and a very popular combination of wood-fired pizzas, chilled Syrah Rosé, and Cloud Haven Pinot Noir. A new addition to the Tasting Room experience is also underway: Boules Court – Opening Soon Set just below the terrace, our new Boules court will offer guests a relaxed way to spend an afternoon surrounded by vineyards and mountain views. New Friday Sundowners Starting December, the Tasting Room will open once a month on Friday afternoons for Boules, wine, and end-of-week relaxation — a request we’ve received often. Wine-Wobble Vineyard Walks We are also introducing a fun vineyard walk with wine-tasting stations along the route — tasting our wines in the very blocks where they were grown. Dates for both experiences will be shared on social media in the coming week. |
 Cellar Update: Winding Down for the Festive Season The cellar team is completing the final tasks before the festive break:2025 Chardonnay has just been bottled2025 Pinot Noir is scheduled for bottling in the second week of DecemberOnce completed, the cellar will close for annual leave until mid-January to recharge ahead of Harvest 2026, expected to begin in early February.Looking Ahead: A Vibrant Festive Season It has been a strong start to the season, and we’re ready to welcome visitors throughout December and January (closed only on 25–26 December and 1 January). Join us for tastings, beautiful views, garden strolls, or a relaxed game of Boules with a glass of our award-winning wines. We look forward to welcoming you at Ridgelands Farm on Appletiser Road.www.elginvintners.co.za |
