Neil Ellis Winery

About Neil Ellis Winery

Neil Ellis was seen the first négociant in the Cape, buying fruit from vineyard sites and specifically matching grape to soil. Neil Ellis’ solo wine making journey first began in 1986 after gaining experience with Groot Constantia and KVW.

He leased cellar space, purchased high quality grapes and made his own wines. In 1993 he partnered with Hans Peter Schroder. Hans owned Oude Nektar in Stellenbosch, so whilst he brought ample cellar space and vineyards, Neil contributed his winemaking experience. Neil Ellis wines produced 40 000 cases per annum from three vineyards: cool-style red grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from Oude Nektar, old bush vines with some of highest pyrozene levels in South Africa and the distinctively herbal component so favoured in Sauvignon Blanc from Groenekloof, Darling and Whitehall farm in Elgin.

Only four barrels of Neil Ellis Grenache 2004 Piekenierskloof has been made from 60 year old vines, whilst the Neil Ellis Chardonnay 2004 Elgin is a complex wine with a third of its blend goes through spontaneous fermentation. The Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Jonkershoek Valley is quite a classic wine that can live a long time.

Visit their new wine cellar and tasting room which sets them apart from other wineries in the region. After visiting Australia and seeing an earth wall for the first time, owners decided on one for Neil Ellis. An earth wall looks as if it has been carved out of soil, helping it blend into its natural surroundings.

To view more wine estates in the region see Bottelary Hills Wine Estates or see South Africa Wine Estates for a general overview and links to other wine producing regions.