Hemel -en-Aarde

Now this is something very special! Dried apricot and fresh ginger with hints of honeysuckle through to a concentrated palate with fresh, clean acidity which supports the extravagance of the palate. Astonishingly good. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Greyton, Western Cape

Grapes: Viognier

ABV: 14%

Lismore Wine

Californian wine pioneer, Samantha O'Keefe has found paradise and the perfect terroir in Greyton, Western Cape, South Africa. Tucked into the foothills of a dramatic mountain range in Southern Africa, Lismore Estate Vineyards was born alongside her family. A passionate vision, combined with vines planted at 300 metres, which are chilled by cold winters and nourished by the African sun, produces classic, cool climate wines which are rich, complex and hand crafted with care.

A stunning example of a restrained, cool climate Chardonnay. Intense citrus aromas and classic soft fruits, jasmine and walnut are layered with honey and vanilla notes. The palate is beautifully balanced with a refreshing, crisp acidity and a distinct minerality. Concentrated and refined, with a crisp, clean citrus finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Greyton, Western Cape

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%

Lismore Wine

Californian wine pioneer, Samantha O'Keefe has found paradise and the perfect terroir. Tucked into the foothills of a dramatic mountain range at the bottom of Africa, Lismore Estate Vineyards was born alongside her nascent family. A passionate vision, combined with vines planted at 300 metres, which are chilled by winter snow and nourished by the African summer sun, produces classic, cool climate wines which are rich, complex and lovingly hand crafted.

A full bodied style of Pinot Noir this vintage. Deep ruby in colour. Intensely fragrant bouquet of red berry aromas, elegant vanilla and a touch of wood spice. These follow through on the full-bodied palate where soft, supple tannins contribute to the dense structure. Well balanced with a lingering aftertaste. Yummy!

Country: South Africa

Region: Hemel en Aarde

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 14%

https://www.creationwines.com/

Red forest berry and bramble berry fruit, red cherries, rose perfume, fragrant sumac and cumin spice on the nose. Red forest fruit, beetroot earthiness, fresh hibiscus, fruit-coated tannin and crisp acidity, medium bodied on the palate.

Country: South Africa

Region: Hemel-En-Aarde

 Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.5%

Place of the Gods Farm, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Walker Bay, Hermanus. This dryland vineyard is situated just 12 km from the sea and lies at 300 m above sea-level. The soils are granite origin with a significant portion of clay. Pinot noir clones are 115 and 667. The vineyard was planted in 2006

Beautiful label art by Isabella Kuijers.

Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report 2020
“Made by Gottfried Mocke of Boekenhoutskloof, but sold under its own label, this
stylish Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Chardonnay is made with fruit that used to go into
Sumaridge. Marrying barrel- and concrete-fermented and aged portions, it has
jasmine and hawthorn aromas, pear and citrus fruit and very subtle wood spices.
2020-25” – 93 Points

Country: South Africa

Region: Hemel en Aarde Ridge

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

ABV: 13.8%

Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2021
“Spontaneously fermented, like sibling, 60% in new oak, rest concrete’eggs’ (vs
Pinot‘s 100% concrete vats). All-wholebunch 2018 is elegant, with pristine orchard
& stonefruit, hint of apple blossom, creamy vanilla. Dry, with, a grapefruit pith finish.
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge WO.”
– 4.5 Stars & 94 Points

Walker Bay in South Africa is becoming a shining example of how Stellenbosch no longer holds the mantle of 'best region' in South Africa - there are now other contenders.. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Walker Bay

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Chardonnay

Since founding Creation in 2002, Jean-Claude and Carolyn have led conservation efforts for the area, becoming one of only nine wineries in South Africa to receive EnviroWines accreditation. It’s not simply an audit, but scientific measurement of every management practice.

A wine with a unique history and story. The small village of Tesselaarsdal in the Overberg, 24km north-east of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is named after East India Company settler Johannes Tesselar. On his death in 1810, he bestowed the land to his freed slaves and owner/winemaker Berene herself is a descendant on one of those very slaves. If you look closely at the label, you can make out two people walking across the mountain. This is Berene and her grandmother. Berene has in fact worked at Hamilton Russell for the last 16 years, having started as an au pair, before moving in to the admin office and then becoming fascinated by the winemaking process. Extreme care is taken to ensure this tiny-production, classically styled Chardonnay expresses the personality of the cool, maritime ridge and it’s stony, iron-rich soils.

Country: South Africa

Region: Hemel en Aarde

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5

'Like her Pinot Noir, Berene Sauls' new Chardonnay is made with fruit from La Vierge. Fermented in amphorae and older wood, it's bready, sappy and saline, with some wild yeast complexity and bright acidity. A promising début. 2020-25.' – Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2019, 92/100

Stunning, elegant, rich heavenly Chardonnay...

'Craig Wessels picks this two-hectare block in five stages to achieve maximum balance and complexity. Large barrel and amphora-fermented, it’s a stunning, elegantly refined Chardonnay with understated oak, some cinnamon spice, good texture and a fresh, citrus peel finish. One of the Cape’s best Chardonnays. 2019-25.' – Tim Atkin SA Report 2017, 96/100

Country: South Africa

Region: Hemel-En-Aarde

 Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 14%

Craig and Anne Wessels’ focus is on the cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon vines they grow on their farm in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. They established a global reputation as the very best that South African wine has to offer.

The holy grail of South African Chardonnay.

Rich, and ripe with Burgundian- style elegance. Very special.

Region: Hermanus, Hemel en Aarde

Country: South Africa

Grape: 100% Chardonnay

Low Yielding Vines, maritime influence, stoney/ clay soils