PAUL CLUVER, ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2018

The cool Elgin region has always been famous for its apple farms. The Cluver family, however, changed the world’s perception of this South African valley. The prestigious Decanter magazine asked Paul Cluver Jr. what the biggest difference is between apple farmers and grape farmers. He replied: “You’ll never find the former saying ‘you have to try this apple!’”

Cluver’s pioneering work in Elgin has resulted in a rich expression of terroir in its elegant reds and aromatic whites. Determined to refine the art of winemaking, the winery uses science to plant the right grapes in the most suitable terrain. The result is a range of labels that have won international awards. In 2017, a phenomenal year for Paul Cluver, its Seven Flags was considered the best Chardonnay in the world by the Decanter World Wine Awards. The label, in fact, is sold exclusively by VM in Brazil. The award was yet another great recognition for the winery, whose excellent portfolio includes several award-winning wines.

Paul Cluver’s property is part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is home to some of the most complex biodiversity on the planet, with over 1,880 plant species.

Environmental conservation is a major concern for Cluver. The De Rust estate, which includes the Paul Cluver Wines estate, contains two critically endangered vegetation types, the Elgin Shale Fynbos and the Western Ruens Shale Renosterveld. His winery is part of the Green Mountain Eco Route, which focuses specifically on developing tourism linked to biodiversity values.