Paul Cluver Wines are situated on De Rust, one of the largest and oldest estates on the Elgin Plateau. The farm was originally bought by Dr Clüver’s great grandfather to provide summer grazing for their livestock. In the mid 1980’s the Elgin area was identified as a cool climate wine-growing appellation with the potential to provide slow ripening grapes with resultant delicate aromas and fruit character similar to that of Burgundy. Careful site selection and soil analysis led to the first plantings of noble varietals in 1986. Originally planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Weisser Riesling the early 1990’s saw the augmentation of new clone Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Mindful of the management of quality from vineyard to bottle a small, made to measure cellar, was erected with the onus being on hand crafted premium quality wines – the Paul Cluver cellar being the first to be established in the Elgin appellation. The Estate falls within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve where conservation and sustainable use of natural resources are pursued with the ultimate goal of balance and harmony between man and nature.