This extensive project was a new industrial endeavour that commenced shortly after the farm was bought by the Rupert Group. Being set in the heart of the most beautiful wine country, the building were required to be both practical, beautiful and sympathetic to the neoclassical ambience of the historic estate.
Agricultural | Elgin, Western Cape | 2008
Project Overview
Pominos Apple Cognac Distillery
T he production of the highest quality Apple Cognac from the finest apples, not to be confused with Calvados which is made from reject fruit, was a new venture for the Cluver’s de Rust Estate, which for the last century has been renowned for its premium export apple crops.
The architectural project was conceived as a quasi-sacred operation and located at the pivotal point of the estate. The massive Bluegum roof construction was hand-crafted by Dr Paul Cluver Senior himself from timber hewn on the estate, while the still was purpose-designed and manufactured by the Stellenbosch-based Wynland Ingenieurswese.
Triple-distilled and oak matured, the final product was marketed in an exclusively limited quantity under the name “Malus”, primarily as executive gifts but also available in some luxury hotels at astronomical cost. Glass artist David Reade was commissioned to specially design and produce hand-blown crystal decanters, each of which were individually numbered and housed in a Chinese-lacquered wooden case.