Edgebaston
The Finlayson family is synonymous with modern era winemaking in the Western Cape. Three generations of Finlayson’s have played a significant role in steering the Cape wine industry in the direction of the international wine world.
Current leading Cape winemaker, David Finlayson was born into a winemaking family with his grandfather Dr Maurice Finlayson, a well-known pathologist originally from Inverness in Scotland, having started the family wine business at Hartenberg farm in Koelenhof, Stellenbosch. It was here that his two sons learnt to make wine. First, Walter who was trained as a stockman in Scotland and then Peter took turns at running the farm.
David and Walter Finlayson bought the Stellenbosch farm Woodlands which is situated on the fringes of the town along the R44 between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts.
Initially, David Finlayson invested his time and energy in ensuring that only the best vines were planted, nurtured, raised onto the trellis and started producing fine wines. Walter Finlayson oversees the daily management of the vines and wines and as a combined force, they produce wines which show the essence of who the Finlayson family are and what they stand for by making classic wines which are suitable for maturation, not simply for winning awards.
The first wines from Woodlands Farm have been named Edgebaston. Interestingly there are a number of coincidences that have made the name a distinct choice for the Finlayson Family’s new release. The property’s original land title is registered as Edgebaston and the official registration with the SA Wine Services is still Edgebaston.
Stellenbosch agricultural land has now become as scarce and valuable as land in any of the New World’s premium quality growing areas. While many winemakers have been forced out of the Stellenbosch area the Finlayson’s have never believed in taking the easy route. They firmly belive that Stellenbosch has and will remain South Africa’s finest winemaking region.
With the Paternal side of the family from Invernes, it was then decided to have a depiction of the Scottish heritage of the family and what better way than to use the family’s own unique design of the Scottish Thistle in the logo.
Edgebaston is situated on the slopes of the Simonsberg facing North East through to South East.
The property has shale soils which are unique to Stellenbosch and have proved themselves to give wines with excellent structure, classic style and minerality. A total of 24 hectares have been planted with vines
