Hemelrand Vine Garden

This vibrant white blend pairs well with fresh seafood dishes, such as grilled prawns or seared scallops. Its acidity complements creamy cheeses like goat's cheese and feta, and it also matches nicely with dishes featuring citrus or herbal elements.

Hemelrand is situated on the cold and windy Hemel & Aarde Ridge at 360 meters above sea level, with gravelly clay and sandstone soils. Planted in 2010, the vineyard includes Chardonnay, Roussanne, Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. The site's marginal conditions result in slow ripening and high natural acidity.

The wine was aged in old oak barrels of various sizes for 12 months, followed by an additional six months in tank on fine lees. No fining was applied before bottling.

Grapes were picked early in the morning, sorted in the vineyard, and whole-bunch pressed. The juice was very lightly settled, with no additions, and underwent wild fermentation in old barrels of various sizes over approximately two months. The wine was kept on lees for around 12 months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling.

Alheit Vineyards is a family business started in 2010 by husband and wife team Chris and Suzaan Alheit. They met at Stellenbosch University, fell in love, travelled the world together, got married, then travelled some more. Eventually they settled on Hemelrand farm close to Hermanus and started their project. Our goals are simple. We want to make wines with a clear sense of Cape identity. We want to show that the Cape’s vinous heritage is worth celebrating and protecting. We love old vineyards. We love dry farming. We love bushvines. We think that “ordinary grapes” are in fact wonderful. We believe that great things are possible here in the Cape, and that we are now just scratching the surface of what can be done.