David Finlayson Wines at Edgebaston Vineyard

On the northern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, where Stellenbosch's finest Cabernet Sauvignon country begins, David Finlayson tends the 30-hectare vineyard he and his family rebuilt from scratch. The Finlaysons are third-generation grape growers and vintners in Stellenbosch, and when David and his family purchased the run-down Edgebaston farm in 2004, they brought not only deep local knowledge but an international perspective forged at Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux and Peter Lehmann in the Barossa Valley.

Edgebaston was a blank canvas. The old farm required complete replanting and rebuilding, and the Finlaysons spent years establishing the vineyard blocks that now produce some of the most critically acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon in the Cape. Production has grown from 6,000 cases in the early years to 30,000 cases annually, focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Rhone varieties — wines that reflect both the Simonsberg terroir and Finlayson's classical training.

The portfolio is anchored by the David Finlayson Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that has drawn consistent praise from international critics. Above it sits the GS Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate's flagship single-vineyard expression — a wine of structure and ambition that demonstrates why Stellenbosch Cabernet belongs in the global conversation. The Camino Africana range explores Rhone-inspired blends and single varietals, while The Pepper Pot has become one of the best-known value wines in South Africa: a spicy, fruit-forward Rhone-style red blend from the Coastal Region that over-delivers at its price point.

David Finlayson is a member of the Cape Winemakers Guild, one of the most selective bodies in South African wine, recognising his standing among the country's finest winemakers. His approach is classical — structured, age-worthy reds built for the long haul — but never at the expense of drinkability.

The estate itself is a working vineyard rather than a hospitality destination, but tastings are available by appointment, offering visitors an intimate window into one of Stellenbosch's most focused and accomplished wine operations. For those who care about what is in the glass above all else, Edgebaston is a pilgrimage.