In 2003, at the age of 78, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, then owner of the famous Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, purchased the estate, part of the original Idas Valley farm, granted in 1682 by Simon van der Steel. 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 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, Nicolas Bureau and Arthur de Lencquesaing.