About the Wine

Neil Ellis is one of the doyens of the South African wine industry. He has journeyed from pioneering négociant beginnings in the early 1980’s, seeking out parcels of interesting vines to make exceptional wines under his own name, to a well-established family enterprise with a local and international reputation for exceptional elegance and quality.

Today the journey of Neil Ellis Wines is not only about Neil Ellis. After 40 years of making wine, the next stage of the journey has begun with Neil’s son, Warren, sharing responsibilities as winemaker and viticulturist in the pursuit of quality winemaking. Neil’s youngest son, Charl heads the financial team while his daughter Margot fulfils the role of brand manager.

The new winery and tasting room, built in 2010, houses the tasting room, administration and production facilities. The winery has its own crush pad, fermentation room, barrel maturation cellar as well as stabilization and bottling facilities giving them full control of every aspect of the winemaking process.

Neil Ellis Wines’ environmentally sensitive winery, built with very thick and heavy rammed earth walls, houses their tasting room, vinotéque, administration offices and production facilities. 

Dreaming to be a winemaker as a young boy, Warren Ellis started helping his dad in the winery at a young age. He holds both a BSc and MSc Agric in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Stellenbosch. He joined the team in 2006 and recently travelled the European wine world doing research on cellar technology and viticulture. Warren currently fills the position as winemaker at Neil Ellis Wines with viticultural responsibilities. 

The vision is to make distinctive, refined wines that are expressive of the terroir and rank amongst South Africa’s finest. A pursuit of quality, nothing less. 

This wine pays homage to the Ellis and Webb families, symbolizing the evolution of Neil Ellis Wines from a solo endeavor to a flourishing family enterprise. Stephanie Ellis, Neil's wife, has been his steadfast support throughout the years. Their three children, Warren, Charl, and Margot, play vital roles within the company.

Aging: 18 months in 25% new French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petit Verdot, 30% Syrah. Deep bright red colour with a dark core. The aromatics reveal red and black fruits with licorice and Cedar notes. The palate is tight, fresh, and elegant. The structure and texture weave into a tightly focused, multi-dimensional continuum. Fine yet dense tannin conspire with bright acidity.

Reviews

Dark ruby ​​garnet, violet reflections, black core, slightly brightened edges. Black berry fruit underlined with fine roasted aromas, a hint of fine chocolate, some licorice, delicate herbal spices. Juicy, good complexity, mineral, fine tannin structure, delicate fruity sweetness of currants, tobacco nuances in the aftertaste, sticks well, good potential. ~91 Falstaff

***Free Shipping on 6 or More Bottles of This Wine***