Our history
In 2003, at the age of 78, May de Lencquesaing, then owner of the famous Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, a Grand Cru Classé from Pauillac, Bordeaux, purchased the estate, part of the original Ida’s Valley farm, granted in 1682 by Simon van der Stel. With a nod to the French Huguenot settlers 300 years before, she set about planting vines to replace the existing fruit trees, realising her vision of establishing a thriving winery that best utilises the soils and microclimate of the valley and supports local economic development and the community. And thus Glenelly Estate was reborn.
The 1783 stamp on the Glenelly wine labels signifies nearly 250 years of the family’s involvement in the wine industry which continues into the 21st century at Glenelly. Their ancestor, Elie Miailhe, was granted the title of ‘royal wine broker’ in 1783. May de Lencquesaing (née Miailhe), continues this tradition together with her grandchildren.
Explore our history
Dias discovers the Cape
Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias navigates the tip of Southern Africa and names it the "Cabo da Boa Esperanca", the Cape of Good Hope.
One stop ship shop
The Dutch East India Company sets up a ship "refreshment" station in what would become Cape Town.
The Cape’s 1st vines
The Cape's first governor, Jan Van Riebeeck, plants the first vines.
Power of Territory
Cape Governor Simon Van Der Stel cedes the land on which Glenelly stands in Ida's Valley to a French Huguenot, François Villion
Edict of Nantes
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in France saw large-scale immigration of Huguenot refugees to the Cape in the following years, bringing with them their wine knowledge and skills and precious vine cuttings from France.
Royal Wine Broker
May’s ancestor, Elie Miailhe, is granted the title of ‘royal wine broker’
Under Colonialism
The Cape falls under British rule which proves lucrative for the wine industry as South African wine flows into the British market.
Butler on a business trip
May's great grandfather, John Benjamin Butler, stops at Cape Town en route from the Philippines to London for family business.
Vineyard devastation
The worldwide phylloxera epidemic destroys the vines in the Cape, forcing the Huguenots to sell their farms. The new owners were English, who divided the land into smaller farms.
Garlick on a fruit farm
Glenelly is purchased by Jack Garlick, the son of the department store founder John Garlick, and is run as a fruit farm for over 90 years.
Born In Bordeaux
May is born in Bordeaux and raised at the various family estates: Châteaux Pichon Lalande, Palmer, Siran and Ducru-Beaucaillou.
German occupation
During World War Two (1939-45), like much of France, May’s family lived under German occupation. Her stories can be read in the book Wine and War by Donald and Petie Kladstrup.
Love and Legacy
May marries Hervé de Lencquesaing, a French cavalry officer. They will have 4 children and later, 10 grandchildren.
A Grand inheritance
May de Lencquesaing inherits Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Grand Cru Classé.
Prestigious awards
In 1993 May is elected President of the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) and subsequently awarded Vice President for Life. And in 1994 she is awarded Decanter Woman of the Year for her pursuit of excellence at Château Pichon Lalande over 30 years which saw the wines being elevated to some of the best in the world.
In search of vines
After many years of searching for the ideal site to create a vineyard, May purchases Glenelly Estate, on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch.
Pichon Lalande’s team and viticulturist Heinrich
Meticulous soil and weather studies of the farm take place before 60 hectares are planted to vines, overseen by Louw.
Teamwork
Luke O'Cuinneagain joins the Glenelly team as winemaker. May sells Château Pichon to Roederer Champagne to devote her time to the development of Glenelly.
Vines to vintages
The first vintages of Glenelly wines are produced.
A World class winery
The inauguration of Glenelly’s 6,000 m² environmentally friendly winery, anchored in the mountains on 4 floors functioning by gravity flow. The winery is also home to the tasting room and a museum displaying May’s precious glass and art collection.
Community care
May de Lencquesaing's passion and commitment sees the development of the Glenelly Recreation Centre for the farm workers as well as the Glenelly C.A.R.E Centre for the farm children. Special attention is focused on the social development of the Glenelly community, including housing and training, and education for her employees’ children.
Order of the Legion of Honour
May de Lencquesaing promoted by the French government, from "Chevalier" to “Officer” in the Order of the Legion of Honour.
Trailblazing new traditions
Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa (PIWOSA) is created, of which Glenelly Estate is a founding member.
Celebrating 90
May de Lencquesaing celebrates her 90th birthday and ads some new contemporary pieces to the Glass Collection.
Achievements
May de Lencquesaing honoured as an Officier de l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole by French Ministry of Agriculture for her achievements at Chateau Pichon Lalande and Glenelly.
Launching a new look
After closing to the public for a year for extensive renovations, Glenelly re-opens as a world-class winelands destination, including a hospitable bistro, a tasting room with spectacular views, a stylish new presentation of May’s unique glass collection, and a refreshed wine brand that better conveys the three key elements that define their award-winning wines: power, elegance and balance.
Chef Christophe Dehosse Opens the Vine Bistro at Glenelly
The Vine Bistro serves classic French bistro food with a modern South African twist, working with the best local ingredients available to bring the art of French cooking to our guests.
IWC Award
May is honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Awards in London.
Nicolas Bureau moves to Glenelly as CEO
Nick, grandson of May de Lencquesaing and family move from London to Stellenbosch.
Second Cellar Master at Glenelly
Dirk van Zyl joins Glenelly as Cellarmaster, and opens a new chapter in our history.
May Releases her book Les vendanges d'un destin
May Releases her book Les vendanges d'un destin: De Bordeaux à l'Afrique du Sud, recounting her exceptional journey from the banks of the Garonne to the banks of the Missouri, from Bordeaux to Constantine, from the great estates of the Médoc to the vineyards of South Africa.