Paul Cluver

Paul Cluver established the first commercial winery in Elgin in 1986 on the Cluver family's apple farm in the De Rust Estate — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The estate is the benchmark for Elgin's cool-climate wines, producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc of distinctive freshness and mineral character. Paul Cluver Jr. now manages the estate with the same care for the natural environment as his father.

Paul Cluver is consistently rated Elgin's finest producer — the Seven Flags Pinot Noir and Close Encounter Chardonnay have received 93-96 points from Tim Atkin and Wine Advocate. The estate's Riesling is considered South Africa's finest expression of the variety. Paul Cluver's commitment to conservation farming (the estate incorporates the Groenlandberg wilderness area) has made it a model for sustainable wine production.