"Making fine wines is our ongoing aspiration." At Shannon Vineyards, their focus on viticulture principles reflect their commitment to winemaking as an expression of terroir. Making fine wines is an ongoing aspiration for them and they have assembled a talented team that shares this passion. Their grapes come from exceptional mountain hillside vineyards above the banks of the Peninsula Dam in the Elgin Valley. These unique vineyard sites, combined with the highly experienced viticultural team of Kevin Watt and James Downes, and a winemaking philosophy of minimal intervention followed by the winemakers Gordon Johnson and Nadia Cilliers, produce wines with distinctive personalities. Each wine has a sense of place. The wines are seductive and memorable for their complexity, structure and elegance. Elgin Valley has long been regarded as the apple and pear centre of South Africa, and now has South Africa’s most highly regarded winemakers establishing vineyards in the area, testament to its obvious winemaking potential. James and Stuart are passionate about maximising the potential of the Elgin Valley and South Africa through the wines of Shannon Vineyards. James is responsible for the vineyard management and respects Gordon and Nadia’s winemaking, whilst Stuart focuses on the marketing.
Elgin Valley Elgin Valley is the natural home for lovers of fresh food, cool-climate wines and beautiful country living. A lush garden valley only 45 minutes from Cape Town. Ringed by mountains, its green rolling hills are a tapestry of orchards, vineyards and olive groves. Elgin Valley has been known for almost a century for its famous fresh produce – most notably apples and pears. But over the years, newcomers have added great richness to the valley’s creative heart. A fervent energy has been invested in creating a country lifestyle, which visitors will fall in love with. The Elgin Valley is a land of outdoor adventure and magic.
Conservation The management of the farm has realised the uniqueness of its environment and strives to safeguard the species passing through the farm. The management communicates with the farm staff regarding the occurrence of certain wildlife on the farm to ensure the long-term survival of the species. Survival of certain species on the farm is largely dependent on the availability of optimum habitat, which occur more often in isolated pockets and uniquely along the river frontage. It is important to note that these optimal habitats occur with and even without the presence of animal species. Larger animal species are not sighted in these optimal habitats daily, but may be in the future, be it to breed in, hide in as a safe haven or to be used as a passing point on their journeys.
