Paul Cluver

The Paul Cluver vineyards are situated on the de Rust Estate, which is located in the cool-climate Elgin Valley, about 45 minutes drive to the west of Cape Town, and forms part of a world heritage site called The Kogelberg Biosphere.. Until recently, the de Rust farm was one of the largest pear and apple growers but Dr. Paul Cluver saw the potential for growing high-altitude, cool climate varietals and started a programme of planting back in 1987. Initially, the harvest was sold through Vinfruco but by 1997, the Cluvers had started their own bottling. Paul Cluver’s vision has always been “to combine the tremendous diversity of mesoclimates and soil of our farm and the passion of our family to develop great and distinctive wines.”

Today, Paul Cluver (snr.) is at the head of this very family business but it his son, the dynamic Paul Cluver (jnr.), who is propelling the estate in to the top league of South African super-star producers. He is lucky to have a brilliant wine maker in the form of his brother-in-law, Andries Burger, who qualified in viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University and whose wine making philosophy is focused on expressing the unique Elgin terroir through handcrafted, individualistic wines with fruit intensity, balance and elegance.

Producers Featured Wine

Cluver Riesling, 2009 This wine shows typical varietal flavour, lots of spice and floral tones, it is very austere and has the typical Riesling nervousness. The palate is elegant and rich with a long lingering after taste carried by the great acidity of the wine often associated with this varietal. This wine can be enjoyed now, with slightly spicy food or cellared for a further 5 to 7 years. £10.55 per bottle