The Glenelly Estate is located in the Idas Valley in Stellenbosch wine region on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. Its origins date back to the seventeenth century, in which Simon van der Stel, then Governor of the Cape, gave the land to a Huguenot, François Villion.

In 1812, the estate passed on again to Johan Peter de Villiers, and finally in 1911 it became the property of a British Family, the Garlicks. They owned it for 92 years until its purchase in 2003 by May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, who for over 30 years was also the owner of the famous Pauillac Grand Cru Classé estate, Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande in Bordeaux.

It was only with Mme de Lencquesaing’s arrival that grapes were planted at the estate in 2003. All the red Bordeaux varieties are now here, along with a small amount of Syrah that does exceptionally well there. Winemaker Luke O’Cuinneagain’s CV is impressive, having worked at Ch. Fieuzal, Screaming Eagle and Ch. Angélus and then at Rustenberg for five years before joining Glenelly. He is assisted by Swartland maverick and ex-Rustenberg winemaker, Adi Badenhorst, who consults for the estate.

Mme de Lencquesaing is still very much involved in the running of the property, which seeks to combine an Old World elegance with South African flair. The French lineage of the wines is apparent upon tasting them; these are very fine indeed.