Paul Cluver Wines

This family-owned, family-run wine business is located in the cool-climate Elgin Valley, approximately 70km south-east of Cape Town. The property has been in ownership of the Cluver Family since 1896. Recognised as pioneers of wine in the area, the focus is on producing elegant wines that are expressive of the terroir.

The wine business forms part of larger holistic farming business called ‘De Rust Estate'. In addition to the vineyards and cellar, there are apple and pear orchards, a Hereford stud and eco-tourism activities, including amphitheatre concerts, on the farm. This estate forms part of the UNESCO world heritage site, the Kogelberg Biosphere. Half of the estate has been set aside for conservation into perpetuity.

Central to the success of the wine and farming business is the Cluver Family – a close-knit group with a visionary, pioneering spirit. Four of the five Cluver siblings are currently involved in the business, taking over the reins from parents Paul and Songvei.

Paul Cluver IV is managing director, Liesl is marketing director, Inge is financial manager, Karin is production manager (orchards). Winemaker, Andries Burger, is married to Inge.

The family is supported by a team of people in production, administration and in the market place.

Jacqueline Harris, forms part of the marketing team. Esme Klaaste processes orders locally and internationally.

Rudi Zandberg is our viticulturist who looks after the vineyards.

Leandre is receptionist and telephonist. Sharon looks after events. And our tastings centre is managed by Abigail.

Paul Cluver Wines is situated in Elgin on the De Rust estate. De Rust has been in the family since 1896. Dr Cluver has long been a supporter of conservation projects, officially undertaking projects of his own on the estate from 1970. Dr Cluver was involved in the establishment and development of Groenlandberg Conservancy and was appointed founding Chairman of this body in 1998. Today the conservancy spans some 34 000ha, and includes the Groenlandberg and Nature Reserve, after which it is named. Over and above the inclusion in the aforementioned conservancy, Paul Cluver Wines also forms part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve area. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve was the 1st Biosphere Reserve to be declared in southern Africa and forms part of UNESCO''''s world-wide network of Biosphere Reserves.

De Rust is one of the first farms in South Africa to enter into a stewardship contract agreement with Cape Nature. The objective of which is to conserve the pristine habitat on the property in perpetuity by means of provisions attached to the property’s title deeds. The conserved area is in excess of 1000ha, and is now called the Cluver Family Reserve. It is being managed according to a management plan that was drawn up by staff of the Cape Nature Stewardship Programme. This reserve includes a game camp for antelope that used to occur in the area.

The property has 3 types of vegetation: Elgin Shale Fynbos, Western Ruens Shale Renosterveld and Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, the first two of which are critically endangered. Paul Cluver Wines is a member of the Green Mountain Eco Route – specifically focussed on developing tourism linked to biodiversity values – with the logo “blending wine and biodiversity”. strongly linked to the biodiversity values of the area, and also promotes the Groenlandberg Conservancy.