Renowned for its mastery of Chardonnay, Elgin continues to solidify its reputation as one of South Africa’s premier wine-producing regions with its excellent results in this year's Platter's Wine Guide.
Exceptional achievements
Twelve of the 30 five-star ratings awarded for Chardonnay are wines of origin Elgin, showcasing the region's superior quality in this variety.
Category winners
Two Elgin wines claimed top honours as category winners:
- Chardonnay: Iona Elgin Highlands Chardonnay 2022
- Cap Classique: Charles Fox Prestige Cuvée Cipher Blanc de Noirs 2018
These accolades highlight Elgin's leadership in crafting wines of unmatched elegance and complexity.
Industry leaders celebrate
Paul Clüver, chair of Wines of Elgin, expressed his pride in the region's achievements: "I am immensely proud of our members' exceptional accomplishments in the latest Platter's Wine Guide. Securing 12 out of 30 five-star ratings for Chardonnay, along with category wins, reaffirms Elgin's status as South Africa's premier appellation for this variety. This recognition is a testament to our collective dedication to excellence and innovation in winemaking."
Andrew Gunn of Iona shared his thoughts on the region’s recent success: "This award follows our Decanter Trophy win, which recognized our 2021 vintage Chardonnay as one of the top 50 wines in the world. It confirms my belief that Elgin produces wines that rank alongside the best globally."
Natalie Opstaele of Almenkerk Wine Estate reflected on their five-star rating for Almenkerk Chardonnay: "Earning a Platter five-star rating is a huge win for us! It boosts our reputation, sets us apart in a competitive market, and motivates our team to keep striving for excellence. It's a game-changer that paves the way for future success."
Elgin’s cool-climate legacy
Nestled on a cool, elevated plateau surrounded by mountains and located just 70 km east of Cape Town, Elgin boasts 740 hectares of vineyards. Over the past decade, Chardonnay has emerged as the region’s leading varietal, accounting for 18% of plantings, while Pinot Noir covers 17% of Elgin’s vineyards, making up 10% of South Africa’s total Pinot Noir plantings.
Since the first vineyards were planted in 1987, Elgin’s distinctive terroir and passionate winemakers have propelled the region to the forefront of South Africa’s premium wine scene. Chardonnay, one of the initial varietals introduced, continues to drive demand and commands premium prices, reflecting its exceptional quality and the region’s promising future.
Overall, the valley – particularly the members of Wines of Elgin – achieved outstanding results across all varieties, with a total of 13 five-star ratings and 48 4.5-star ratings. Thanks to the updated Platter’s Wine Guide rating system, 20% of these wines fall into the “highly recommended” category, showcasing their exceptional quality. Furthermore, when considering all wines crafted from Elgin’s sought-after cool-climate grapes, the achievements surpass even these figures, further cementing the region’s reputation for excellence.