At Oak Valley we focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Classically styled and beautifully crafted. These are distinct, elegant wines, sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the Elgin Valley.

Lay of the land

Located 100km east of Cape Point, the Elgin Valley is situated on an elevated plateau at an altitude of 300m, completely surrounded by mountains. Only a few kilometres from the cold Atlantic Ocean.

Within this mountain basin, on the northern border, a sequence of rolling hills is set against the Groenlandberg. Its peak covered in snow. Here lies Oak Valley.

Our vineyards receive close to 1,000mm of rain allowing the vines to rely on the natural storage potential of the soil.

The soil comes from ancient shales formed 500 million years ago. Our terracotta gravelly topsoil is iron-rich, well drained and underlain with clay. The red soils retain the sun's warmth which helps the vines mature evenly.

We have 4 distinct vineyards. Planted mainly to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. All harvesting is done by hand.

Keeping our cool

During the winter months when the sun remains low, the Groenlandberg casts a shadow over our mountain vineyards. This increases the chilling over dormancy and results in very uniform bud break in spring.

In summer, the steep valleys on the southern side of the mountain cause cool air to drain like a river over the vineyards at night, resulting in excellent retention of natural acids in the fruit. The marked drop in evening temperatures leads to superb colour development during the ripening period.

These lower temperatures result in fruit that spends a longer time attached to the vine. Ripening is a slow gradual process on Oak Valley. This improves the spectrum of flavours and allows us to produce wines of elegance and finesse.

Our winemaking philosophy

Our wines are defined by place. We celebrate our vineyard above all else.

Our wines are a reflection of our cool climate.

Our style is defined by. Freshness. Purity of fruit. Elegance. Subtlety. Finesse.

Our wines will last and gain complexity with age.

Our wines are authentic. Restrained intervention in the cellar ensures that the wine in your glass is a true reflection of the fruit that made it.