top of page

South Hill Cool Climate Vineyards

Winery Description

Location and History

An hours’ drive south of Cape Town past Stellenbosch & Franschhoek, on the way to the coastal town of Hermanus lies the Overberg town of Grabouw. The town is surrounded by the Hottentot Hollands, Kogelberg and Groenberg mountain ranges to form the cool mountain plateau of the Elgin Valley. And situated on the south eastern side of this Valley, lies South Hill Vineyards.

Elgin Valley is fast becoming known for not just its top cool climate producing wine route, but also a romantic destination wedding region as well as the outdoor adventure capital of South Africa.
Pristine vineyards which produce top quality cool climate grapes & wines; accommodation offering a luxury farm-stay experience; an art gallery of continually changing local art; a space for creating unique personalised functions & weddings and a restaurant serving delicious bistro country style meals.

South Hill Vineyards really is all about creating Cool Taste Experiences.

Wine Tasting

Originally a underutilised apple and pear farm known as Jan Niemandsbosch, our vineyards were planted after extensive research conducted by leading viticulture consultants. Taking into consideration soil types; the micro climate of this the drier, eastern part of the valley; and the general terroir associated with cool climate vineyards – preferential noble varietals were recommended for the various slopes on the farm. In preparation, vineyards were meticulously primed with nutrient additions; deep soil penetration for ease of vine growth; and directional trellising systems built to suit the different varietals. Plant material was selected from specialised nurseries and planting took place over a period of five years.

The Elgin Valley is surrounded by the Kogelberg Biosphere, spread over three mountain ranges and home to the world’s richest flora and fauna kingdom. Situated 10km from the cold southern Atlantic Ocean, cool south easterly winds help keep daytime temperatures down, while an altitude of 300m – 550m above sea level means that nights are cool even in mid-summer. This diurnal temperature variation slows down the ripening process, allowing grapes to be harvested later in the season. This means all South Hill wines benefit from high fruit flavour development, take advantage of their natural fresh acidity and with as little cellar intervention as possible, ensure they retain a natural balance whilst maintaining the integrity of the Elgin cool climate terroir.

The South Hill grape harvest currently constitutes a large proportion of the farms total grape production as a supplier to many Western Cape premium wineries. The balance of their fruit goes into the manufacture of their own three ranges of cool climate styled wines: the South Hill range which we define as being consistently quality driven, accessible, unpretentious drinking wines of good value.

Restaurant

The restaurant at South Hill Vineyards enhances the overall experience with its inviting atmosphere, offering a menu rich in bistro-style country meals. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, the venue serves breakfast and lunch prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The dining space and terraces provide picturesque views of the surrounding landscape, creating the perfect setting for a leisurely meal. With attention to detail, the restaurant accommodates various dietary preferences, ensuring a delightful and inclusive dining experience for all guests. The culinary offerings complement the wine selections, allowing patrons to indulge in pairings that enhance the flavours of both food and wine.

Accommodation

South Hill Vineyards offers a luxury farm-stay experience with three luxury accommodation options in Elgin – enjoy one of six luxurious, spacious rooms in our Guest House; or relax in the tranquil, romantic one-bedroom Pumphouse Honeymoon Cottage. Their latest unique House Boat, Stokies Ark is perfect for a fun-filled family or friends getaway, on the main dam, it sleeps 6 adults, or 4 adults and 4 kids. Plenty of water toys, great fishing or simply sit-back on the comfortable beanbag cushions.

All rooms at South Hill include king-size beds (or twins, by arrangement), high thread cotton count bed linen & towels, spacious bathrooms with bath & shower and fynbos inspired guest amenities, tea & coffee station, in-room safe, WIFI and are serviced daily.

Please note that there is a minimum two-night stay over weekends. Check-in time is from 14h00 and check-out at 10h00 the next morning. Reservations are only confirmed on receipt of a 50% non-refundable deposit. South Hill invites you enjoy their luxury accommodation in Elgin.

Tours and Activities