The farm Elgin Heights was purchased by the Joubert family in 1966, and farmed as a deciduous fruit unit until 1999.

The farm covering 111 hectares is situated in the Elgin valley about 20 Km from the sea at an altitude of 250-290 meters above sea level.

The cool climate of the Elgin valley, the natural slopes of the farm, coupled with the maritime influence make it the ideal place for the production of top quality wine grapes.

Today the farm is called Smarag which is the Afrikaans word for emerald, referring to the beautiful green surroundings of the Elgin valley.

The current owner Ryk Joubert decided to register the wine production unit under the original name Elgin Heights.

The Joubert family has been wine farmers in Stellenbosch since 1913 on the farm Rozendal, it was a natural transition to extend the grape and wine activities to Elgin.

As the fifth generation wine farmer in the Joubert clan D.D. Joubert studied viticulture at Elsenburg agricultural college, and went on to obtain a B.Agric degree with viticulture at the University of Stellenbosch. He joined the business at the end of 1998.

The vineyard development in Elgin was initiated by D.D. in 1999 and today consists of 60 hectares. Cultivars planted include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Viognier.

In 2006 an agreement was reached between Simon Barlow and D.D. Joubert that he can make his first wine at the Rustenberg cellar.

The Sauvignon Blanc grapes were specially selected by D.D. and together with Thinus Kruger (roaming wine maker) they produced the 2007 Elgin Heights Sauvignon Blanc..