Oak Valley Estate was founded in 1898 by Sir Antonie Viljoen, a medical doctor who graduated from Edinburgh University in Scotland. Sir Antonie became a Senator in the Cape Parliament and was knighted by King George in 1916 for his efforts to reconcile the Boers and Brits in the bitter aftermath of the Boer War.
Sir Antonie was a farmer extraordinaire and amongst his many farming achievements was the establishment of the first commercial apple orchards in the Elgin Valley. The apple industry remains the economic backbone of the region today.
Well over a century has passed since the pioneering accomplishments of Sir Antonie and today Oak Valley lies in the heart of the Elgin Valley, renowned for its apples and pears, its greenhouse cut-flowers, and, for the production of its outstanding cool climate wines.
Wines on offer:
Discovery Range –
- Fountain of youth Sauvignon Blanc
- Stone & steel Riesling
- Beneath the clouds Chardonnay
- Sounds of Silence Pinot Noir
Groenlandberg range –
- Oak Valley Groenlandberg Chardonnay
- Oak Valley Groenlandberg Pinot Noir
Tabula Rasa range-
- Tabula Rasa South Ridge CY95 Chardonnay
- Tabula Rasa South Ridge Pinot Noir PN115
Fountain of youth Sauvignon Blanc
Along the lower foothills of the Groenlandberg Mountain, Sir Antonie Viljoen, the founder of Oak Valley, discovered a crystal clear fresh water spring. So good was this water that Sir Antonie had it piped over many miles to his home and proclaimed it the Fountain of Youth.
Stone & steel Riesling
During 1898, the year in which Sir Antonie Viljoen purchased Oak Valley, plans were underway to build a pioneering railway from Sir Lowry’s Pass to Caledon. Elgin existed in isolation until the track opened in 1902. The line was chiselled out of solid rock to conquer Sir Lowry’s Pass, the steepest gradient in the country. And so this solid steel on quarried stone would inspire an era of prosperity in Elgin. The era of Stone & Steel.
Beneath the clouds Chardonnay
The South-Easter, known locally as the Cape Doctor, is our prevailing wind in summer. In Elgin, the Cape Doctor blows cold sea air over the vineyards and blankets the valley under cloud. These clouds lower our daytime temperatures and slow the ripening of our chardonnay grapes, leading to better flavour development. Herein lies the magic of Beneath the Clouds.
Sounds of Silence Pinot Noir
High on the southern slopes of the Groenland Mountains lies an isolated vineyard exposed to the elements of our cold climate. Wind whistles through the neighbouring fynbos, the only sound that breaks this eerie silence at altitude. Our Pinot Noir takes comfort in austerity. It thrives on hardship. And it lives alone in the Sounds of Silence.
Oak Valley Groenlandberg Chardonnay
The Groenlandberg Chardonnay is hand-picked and sourced from our mountain block situated on a south-facing slope at an altitude of 430m. The high altitude, unique microclimate, and gentle winemaking practices, create a wine that is delicate, yet rich in character, carrying a strong sense of place.
Oak Valley Groenlandberg Pinot Noir
The Groenlandberg Pinot Noir is sourced from a selection of south-facing vineyards situated between 430m and 470m above sea level. There is minimal intervention in the cellar. Whole-bunch fermentations, gentle punch downs and a careful approach to oak maturation, create a delicate Pinot that expresses wonderful fruit and a strong sense of place.
Tabula Rasa South Ridge CY95 Chardonnay
It stems from our imaginary view of Oak Valley as an appellation within the Elgin plateau and our search for new sites that produce exceptional wines. Tabula Rasa is single-minded, single vineyard and single clone. Grapes are sourced from a handful of vines within a block, focused exclusively on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Our mission is to create wines from a blank canvas that represent the ultimate expression of our terroir.
Tabula Rasa South Ridge Pinot Noir PN115
It stems from our imaginary view of Oak Valley as an appellation within the Elgin plateau and our search for new sites that produce exceptional wines. Tabula Rasa is single-minded, single vineyard and single clone. Grapes are sourced from a handful of vines within a block, focused exclusively on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Our mission is to create wines from a blank canvas that represent the ultimate expression of our terroir.