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. The 2023 vintage was a challenging one, particularly late in the season, which was cool and wet, as a result, the production is significantly down, however the quality is truly exceptional.

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 complex bouquet of crushed rose petals, wild jasmine and fresh French herbs. The palate shows beautiful purity with layered red fruits, cranberry, raspberry, silky tannins and a long, savoury finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Walker Bay and Elgin, Western Cape

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.5%

70% of the grapes came from Stanford, Walker Bay and 30% from Elgin, both in the cool climate region Cape South Coast. The vines are all Burgundian, clone 115. The Stanford vineyard is close to the southernmost tip of Africa and is located in one of South Africa’s coolest wine producing regions. The maritime vineyard enjoys a long ripening season, because of the strong cooling winds that are prevalent in the summer. This microclimate is ideal for creating a long hang time, concentrating the flavours in the berries, while retaining natural acidity levels. Elgin is situated at 400
metres above sea level and ripens even later then the coastal vineyard. The vines
here, planted in shale and clay soils, produce fleshier fruit, adding weight to the final
blend.

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.

Abundantly fruity on the nose with fragrant white peach aromas mingling with a rich, creamy character. These follow well onto the palate and combine seamlessly with crisp minerality and natural acidity.

Country: South Africa

Region: Walker Bay

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Viognier

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 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

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

Swartskaap (‘black sheep’).

Country: South Africa

Region: Hemel en Aarde

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13.5

You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s
famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In
1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing
letters to the locals easier.

150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding
wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof (they produce
90% of WO Sondagskloof wine), which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for
South Africa’s coolest wine growing region. This area is perfectly suited to Bordeaux
varietals and, with the exception of Shiraz, is exclusively planted with them.
The Afrikaans wine names might look like a bit of a mouthful, but they are good fun;
Bloos (‘blush’), Kaalvoet Meisie (‘barefoot girl’), Kat Met Die Houtbeen (‘cat with the
wooden leg’), Posmeester (‘postmaster’), Kleinboet (‘little brother’) and Swartskaap
(‘black sheep’).

94 Pts Neal Martin “The 2023 Cuvée Blanc Reserve is from a vineyard planted in 2016 that burned in the fire three years later. The vines were cut back and, fortunately, regrew. This is a blend of 90% Roussanne, 5% Chardonnay and 5% Viognier, oxidatively handled and fermented on the lees for 11 months in 500-liter barrels. It has a vibrant bouquet with honeysuckle, Clementine and a touch of chamomile, blossoming in the glass. Gorgeously textured and slightly waxy on the finish, this will mature with style. Highly recommended.” Drinking Window: 2025 - 2040

Country: South Africa

Region: Greyton, Western Cape

Grapes: 90% Roussanne, 5% Chardonnay and 5% 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.