Beautiful. Elegant. Classy. Surrounded by mountains and vineyards with a silhouette of Table Mountain to depict a breathtaking setting.
You know you are in for something special when you cross an impressive koi pond with big boulders on either side. It gives you an impression of a secret passageway with an arched entrance passage that leads you into a stylish tasting room that opens up to a spectacular view of Stellenbosch.
A wine tasting experience with a difference where you can enjoy amazing wines with beautiful views and take a swing or two at their chipping green and test your inner golfing skills. This is Ernie Els Wines. Named after the South African golf legend, Ernie Els, and the wines are skillfully crafted by winemaking legend, Louis Strydom.
An ice cold welcome drink awaits you on arrival. ERNIE ELS BIG EASY Chenin Blanc 2019
100% Chenin Blanc. Ripe mandarin and lime on the nose, leading to notes of early spring jasmine and cling peaches. The tropical palate is richly textured with hints of wild herbs and Indian spice, adding complexity and good depth. It is medium-bodied and unhindered by oak giving a lively fruit structure and soft and easy finish.
Two types of tastings are available to choose from:
Player’s Tasting – R60 per person
Major Tasting – R100 per person
“I have always had a particular fondness for Cabernet Sauvignon wines and Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends. It seemed a natural choice to position Ernie Els Wines in the Helderberg region of Stellenbosch, as this site provides ideal growing conditions for this beloved variety.
My focus continues to be to create premium, full-bodied wines using gentle extraction techniques in order to preserve the classic aromas and flavours we have all come to enjoy out of a bottle of Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Louis Strydom, Winemaker
PLAYER’S TASTING
ERNIE ELS BIG EASY CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ 2020
An elegant Rosé with an enticing rose gold colour that consists of majority Cabernet Sauvignon with a dash of Cinsault. The aromas of fresh summer fruits are underpinned by light nuances of dried citrus fruits, wild berries and a hint of musk. Spicy notes provide even more complexity, which also continues on the palate. This rosé is delightful, refreshing with a beautiful texture.
ERNIE ELS BIG EASY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon with a small addition of Cinsault to produce a softer, rounder style of wine. Aged in second and third fill French Oak barrels. Aromatic on the nose, there is just a hint of spice that mixes beautifully with the red fruit flavours on the palate. Inviting flavours of ripe plum, red cherry and hints of cassis, the palate is refreshing, lively and already approachable. Light to Medium bodied in structure.
Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. Selected pockets of Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced from different coastal regions to compliment the style. The Cinsault was sourced from 25+year old dryland bush vines in the Paardeberg region.
ERNIE ELS BIG EASY RED BLEND 2017
A complex blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut and Viognier with concentrated notes of ripe black cherry, liquorice, smoked herbs and chocolate. It has a smooth mouthfeel and nicely balanced. This wine is vibrant and alight with a youthful energy. The bright palate ends with a juicy, sweet-fruited flourish.
Whole berries are fermented in open top tanks and barrels with intermittent pump-overs and punch-downs to ensure a balance between flavour, colour and tannin extraction from the skins. After primary fermentation, some tanks will undergo extended maceration. Each variety is matured separately in oak before final blending.
Aged for 14 months in older oak barrels – 80% in 300 litre French oak barrels and 20% in 300 litre American Oak barrels.
ERNIE ELS PROPRIETOR’S SYRAH 2015
A blend of 95% Syrah, supported by 5% Viognier sourced from a neighbouring Helderberg vineyard in Stellenbosch.
Dark red in the glass. Aromas of ripe plums and a touch of spice on the nose that follows through on the palate. It’s fruity and spicy with a great structure. This wine matured for 18 months in French and American oak with great potential to age.
MAJOR TASTING
ERNIE ELS MAJOR SERIES MERLOT 2017
Ruby red in colour. 94% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 14 months in French Oak barrels.
It is soft and juicy on the entry with a delicate floral expression that follows from nose to palate. Notes of ripe plums, strawberries and a hint of chocolate. An elegant wine with an earthy complexity that adds depth. The firm tannins are balanced with a good line of acidity and a long savoury finish.
ERNIE ELS MAJOR SERIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot. Aged for 17 months – 300 litre French Oak barrels (20% new).
Deep ruby red in colour. Aromas of black fruit and cedar on the nose that follows through on the palate. Great body with a long lingering finish.
ERNIE ELS PROPRIETOR’S BLEND 2016
Cabernet Sauvignon 60%; Shiraz 20%; Merlot 5%; Cabernet Franc 5%; Malbec 5% and Petit Verdot 5%. Deep dark ruby in the glass with dark berry fruit, ripe cherry, violets, espresso, fine dried herbs flavours, well-balanced and vibrant on the palate.
ERNIE ELS SIGNATURE 2014
Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 25%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Malbec 5% & Petit Verdot 5%. Fruit cake plus a melange of dried fruits, plums, mince pie, cocoa dust, vanilla, prunes. The dark, ripe and poised fruit is fleshed out with sandalwood, musk, perfume, violets and a faint savoury edge. It’s full-bodied, classic, dry and with a long finish.
EXPLORE ERNIE ELS WINES
VINOTHÈQUE
It’s modern space where you can browse through an array of older vintages which are available for purchase. Their selection of wines dates back to the very earliest vintages of their iconic Signature and includes many other fantastic wines crafted by Louis Strydom throughout the last 21 years.
TROPHY ROOM
Browse through the exclusive exhibition dedicated to Ernie Els, fondly known as The Big Easy. The Trophy Room details a lifetime of Ernie’s golfing achievements and displays many of his awards and trophies.
WINE LIBRARY
Positioned in the Tasting room, it offers a selection of books to browse through whilst sipping on a glass of wine.
RESTAURANT
An open-plan space that extends out onto a terrace with hearty cuisine made from fresh locally-sourced ingredients.
WINE CELLAR
A prestigious Wine Cellar, with its vast concrete tanks and rows of maturation barrels, forms the vivid heart of a winery that expertly balances enduring hospitality with state-of-the-art facilities.
MERCHANDISE SHOP
Visit the exclusive Merchandise Shop where a range of various items are available for purchase, including Ernie Els branded golfing merchandise.
Adding Ernie Els Wines to your list to visit comes highly recommended. From the stylish venue to the gorgeous views and their amazing wines. All their wines are so smooth and so well-balanced.
I love a good rosé but when I tasted the Ernie’s Big Easy Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé I was blown away and is now a favourite of mine. Bought a case but I will have to restock soon again!
For more information of bookings at their restaurant:
E-Mail: info@ernieelswines.com
To Book: bookings@ernieelswines.com
Telephone: +27 21 881 3588
Categories: Ernie Els Wines
