Glenelly Estate
South African wine with a French touch
About the winery
Fruit of the collaboration between a team of Swiss and South African architects, the 6,000 m2 building was erected in 2009 as one of the most ultra-modern wineries in the continent. Besides providing a unique tool for the winemaker, functioning by gravity flow on 5 floors half underground, the environmentally friendly winery helps keep a very respectful and green footprint. Winemaker Luke O’Cuinneagain and assistant Jerome Likwa endeavour to make Glenelly wines as naturally as possible with wild yeast fermentation and no acidification. The team follows a minimal intervention approach to winemaking yet intensive sorting and care are taken when receiving the grapes. We use France’s most recognised coopers (mostly from Taransaud, Boutes, and Sylvain) to ensure a gentle and precise élevage, preserving the identity of the terroir of Glenelly. Visit Glenelly Estate for wine tasting & cellar tours, The Vine Bistro for lunch & dinner, and view our Glass Museum.
Learn more about Glenelly Estate and their facilities at:
Location
Stellenbosch
History & Geography
In 2003, at the age of 78, May de Lencquesaing, then owner of the famous Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, a Grand Cru Classé from Pauillac, Bordeaux, purchased the estate, part of the original Ida’s Valley farm, granted in 1682 by Simon van der Stel. With a nod to the French Huguenot settlers 300 years before, she set about planting vines to replace the existing fruit trees, realising her vision of establishing a thriving winery that best utilises the soils and microclimate of the valley and supports local economic development and the community. And thus Glenelly Estate was reborn. The 1783 stamp on the Glenelly wine labels signifies nearly 250 years of the family’s involvement in the wine industry which continues into the 21st century at Glenelly. Their ancestor, Elie Miailhe, was granted the title of ‘royal wine broker’ in 1783. May de Lencquesaing (née Miailhe), continues this tradition together with her grandchildren.
Submit a Review