r a f s P e o p l e
Founder & Owner
r M a x H h n
Elgin Vintners founding partner Dr Max Hahn is a fount of knowledge on the history of the Elgin Valley and the Elgin Orchards farm that sparked his interest in owning an apple farm “one day”.
He now lives in what is believed to be the valley’s oldest house—the tollhouse at the Palmiet River bridge. He knows the stories of the farm’s original owner Edward Syfret, neighbour Jack Green (and the foefie slide, or rope-and-pulley system used to transport apples over the river to his packshed), and the Denniston family who offered recuperation in the Ridgelands manor house on the farm for injured troops
The guest bedrooms in the stately manor house honor these families. This manor house is now Elgin Vintners’ luxury accommodation and scenic event venue. The guest bedrooms in the stately manor house honor these families.
Max’s father was one of the injured troops nursed to wellness at Ridgelands and became friends with the Denniston family. Many visits to Elgin Orchards and the Ridgelands manor house sparking the young Max’s dream of one day retiring to an apple farm in the area.
Co-Founder & Owner
a m e s R a b o e - V i l j o e n
For James Rawbone-Viljoen, the excitement of the wine business is about personal interaction with wine lovers and growing Elgin Vintners’ loyal, global following.
“I often say that, for me, growing apples and pears is a very scientific process, as it is with grapes, but once you’ve grown that apple or pear, packed it and sent if off the farm, you have nothing more to do with it.”
“The real attraction for me, with grapes and with wine, is having that personal interaction with the consumer. To sit across the table and share a glass of wine, a product that I love, with people and see their satisfaction in enjoying your product – that’s what I get a kick out of.”
James goes beyond farming; he’s passionate about crafting and selling wine, opening new markets and giving the brand personality. All these qualities mark him as one of the leading crafts people at Elgin Vintners.
senior winemaker
g a t h a R s s
I’ve always been a wine drinker, but I’d never thought that I’ll ever be a wine maker. It all started with helping Bruno harvest the winery’s first vintage. I immediately fell in love with the process and decided to start working here full time. Never looked back ever since!
My knowledge of wine began in a small
Italian restaurant. The all-Italian staff painted a vivid picture of what wine meant to them: family, memories, and traditions. The same values that guide the crafts people in our cellars.
Viticulture Manager
l l a C a m o
Growing grapes didn’t start as a passion for me; at first, it was just a job. As I worked and learned more, I grew deeply attached to the land and the vines. I found my calling being outdoors.
Seasonal jobs took me as far north as Alaska. There I guided outdoor adventure trips and fished for salmon. I also worked in vineyards in the Southern Hemisphere. I made vineyard management my career and I’ve never considered anything else.
