Alheit Vineyards, Hemelrand Vine Garden, Western Cape, South Africa, 2024

Producer Profile

Established in 2010 by passionate husband-and-wife duo Chris and Suzaan Alheit, the estate is dedicated to producing world-class white wines that capture the soul of their origin.

With a particular focus on Chenin Blanc and Sémillon, Alheit Vineyards crafts elegant, expressive wines that celebrate the character and complexity of the Cape’s finest terroirs. Situated at Hemelrand on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge near Hermanus, Alheit Vineyards embraces a minimalist, hands-off philosophy in its winemaking. Their approach prioritises authenticity and transparency, using techniques such as whole-bunch pressing, wild fermentation with native yeasts, and maturation in old barrels, clay amphorae, and concrete eggs. By avoiding new oak, additives, acidification, and fining, the Alheits craft wines of remarkable purity and balance – true reflections of the Cape’s diverse terroirs.

Viticulture

Hemelrand it is situated on the cold and windy Hemel & Aarde Ridge at 360 meters above sea level, on gravelly clay, and Sandstone. The vineyard was planted in 2010 to Chardonnay, Roussanne, Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, and Muscat Blanc a petit grain. The proportions of the different grapes produced significantly varies each vintage. Viticulturally speaking, this is a marginal site, the upside of which is slow ripening with high natural acidity.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked early in the morning, sorting in the vineyard, and whole bunch pressed. The juice was very lightly settled (we like very cloudy raw juice) with no additions to the raw juice, wild fermentation took place in old barrels of various sizes. Fermentation lasted for about 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. Very simple, careful winemaking.

Tasting Note

The nose shows the classic stone fruit and exotic flavours that we expect from Vine Garden, but then there’s dried orange peel and apricot from the noble berries. The palate is full and quite powerful. The usual high acidity carries the whole wine to a long, tapered finish.

Food Matching

Just perfect with seafood, especially shellfish like shrimp, lobster, and scallops.