The Producer

Neil Ellis is one of South Africa’s most respected wine names — a pioneer who’s been matching the right grapes to the right soil since the early 1980s. Based in Stellenbosch’s Jonkershoek Valley, the estate is now led by son Warren (Cape Winemakers Guild member since 2017), continuing a family tradition built on one simple idea: let the vineyard do the talking. No shortcuts, no gimmicks — just honest wine from exceptional sites. With 5 Platter’s stars four times for the Jonkershoek Cabernet and a track record of 90+ ratings from Tim Atkin MW, James Suckling and Wine Spectator, this is a cellar that defines South African quality winemaking.

Vintage & Terroir

The Groenekloof ward sits on the western edge of the Darling hills, where the Atlantic Ocean sends cool breezes rolling across the vineyards every afternoon. The Contreberg Farm — the same property Neil Ellis has sourced from since 1990 — produces Sauvignon Blanc of extraordinary intensity and mineral precision. The combination of decomposed granite soils, maritime influence, and constant wind stress creates fruit with natural concentration and a signature flinty, almost saline character you simply cannot replicate anywhere else. The 2025 grapes were picked between 2 and 16 February, coming in at 21.5–23°Balling with harvest acid of 8.0–9.5g/L — a tight, cool-season profile that points to a taut, racy expression of this Groenekloof site.

In the Cellar

Fermentation ran cool in stainless steel to lock in aromatic intensity, with the juice flotation-cleaned after racking. A small 10% portion was left to ferment spontaneously and mature in barrel, adding texture and complexity to the blend. The wine was left on the lees for five months before bottling — Warren Ellis keeping intervention to a minimum and letting the site do the talking, as always.

Tasting Notes

Tropical fruit, citrus and apple blossom lead on the nose, with pineapple layered through the background. The palate is elegant and poised — fresh, textured acidity carries the fruit through to a long, flavoursome finish. This is Groenekloof Sauvignon Blanc at its most refined: precise, saline-edged and utterly drinkable.

Food Pairing

A natural match for fresh West Coast oysters, grilled crayfish, seared linefish with a lemon-butter sauce, or a classic prawn linguine. Also superb with goat’s cheese salad, green asparagus, or Thai green curry where the wine’s acidity cuts through richness beautifully. Serve well chilled at 8–10 °C. Drinking brilliantly now with enough complexity and acidity for it to develop further.

Technical Details

Our Guarantee

Every wine at Vinty is stored in ideal conditions and shipped in protective packaging. If your bottle arrives anything less than perfect, we’ll sort it out — no fuss, no snobbery, just great wine delivered to your door.