Ernie Els Wines on the Helderberg
is located on the slopes of the Helderberg south of Stellenbosch. The vineyards lie around 140 to 270 metres above sea level and some face north and north-east. Beneath the vines are granitic parent rocks with clay-rich Tukulu and Oakleaf soils. At the same time, the Atlantic is only around 15 kilometres away. Its cooling influence extends the ripening period and helps the grapes retain freshness and achieve even phenolic ripeness despite the warm Mediterranean climate.
The winery takes its name from South African professional golfer Ernie Els. The first Signature blend was made with the 2000 vintage, while the estate's own cellar on the Helderberg opened in 2005. From the outset, the focus was on powerful red wines and Cabernet Sauvignon in particular. The site was deliberately chosen because this part of Stellenbosch has long been known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varieties.
Cabernet Sauvignon remains at the heart of production. A large proportion of the vineyard area is planted with the variety, including nine different natural Cabernet clones. One special feature is clone 412 from the French Gironde, which according to the estate was first planted for commercial production in South Africa in 2014. The different clones and parcels make it possible to tailor structure, fruit and tannin profile for the various wine ranges.
The flagship wine is Ernie Els Signature, a Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux blend. The 2022 vintage consists of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot plus Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. All grapes come from the estate itself. The individual lots are matured separately before being assembled into the final blend. Signature is deliberately designed for structure and ageing potential and has formed the stylistic centre of the estate since the first vintage.
Below Signature, the portfolio is divided into several ranges. The Major Series focuses, among other wines, on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from estate vineyards. The Proprietor's Series gives the cellar team more freedom with individual grape varieties and selected blends. Current wines include Proprietor's Blend, Syrah, Grenache Noir and Old Vine Chenin Blanc. The well-known Big Easy range comprises a red blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé.
Winemaker Louis Strydom plays an important role. He joined Ernie Els Wines from Rust en Vrede at the end of 2004 and has therefore been involved with the wines for more than two decades. His particular focus is Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends. In the vineyard he is supported by viticulturist Leander Koekemoer, who has been responsible for managing the different soils and vineyard blocks since 2015.
Ernie Els Wines therefore stands above all for the powerful red-wine side of Stellenbosch. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties meet warm Helderberg slopes, granite-derived soils and the cooling influence of the Atlantic. At Vin Africa you will find both the more approachable Big Easy wines and structured Cabernet Sauvignons and blends from the estate's higher ranges.