About Neil Ellis

In 1989 Neil Ellis took a calculated leap of faith into the wine-negociant arena, buying and vinifying grapes from elected vineyards and marketing these hand-reared wines under his own label. Mindful that exceptional terroir and assiduous vineyard cultivation form the bedrock of great wine, Neil forged long-term supply-partnerships with top grape-growers in premium areas.

Our vision

To make distinctive, refined wines that are expressive of their terroir and rank amongst South Africa’s finest.

Our Story

Mindful that no single vineyard can satisfy the needs of all grape varieties, Neil Ellis set out to identify distinct terroir in which individual varieties will excel. He placed the emphasis not only on the environment but also on caring viticultural practises by a dedicated team of growers which extends through to the winemaking practises. Today the journey of Neil Ellis Wines is not only of Neil Ellis anymore, but a team of young, dedicated winemakers harnessed in their pursuit of quality winemaking. After four decades of making wine, the next stage of the journey has begun with Neil’s son, Warren, sharing responsibilities as winemaker and viticulturist.

Our Background

In 1989 Neil Ellis took a calculated leap of faith into the wine-negociant arena, buying and vinifying grapes from elected vineyards and marketing these hand-reared wines under his own label. Mindful that exceptional terroir and assiduous vineyard cultivation form the bedrock of great wine, Neil forged long-term supply-partnerships with top grape-growers in premium areas. Today the same philosophy - sourcing superior grape-varieties from low-yielding, hand-picked vineyard lots in the capes top terroirs - remains the mainstay of Neil Ellis Wines world-class range.

In the very year Neil Ellis set out as a negociant, his future partner Hans Peter Schroder purchased the Stellenbosch wine estate, Oude Nektar, in the spectacular, viticulturally ideal Jonkershoek Valley. This coincidence gained fresh resonance some years later when Neil and Hans finally met. Neil, recipient of many accolades since flying solo, had outgrown his leased cellar; Hans, in search of a like-minded partner for a quality-focused winery, had extensive cellar facilities (and, moreover, prime quality grapes). From this synergy emerged a unique joint venture – Neil Ellis Wines.

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