Vineyards
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. However, as mentioned, 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.
Technical Details
Varieties:
32% Roussanne; 28% Chardonnay; 25% Chenin Blanc; 11% Verdelho; 4% Muscat
32% Roussanne; 28% Chardonnay; 25% Chenin Blanc; 11% Verdelho; 4% Muscat
| Wine of origin | Hemel & Aarde Ridge (Estate Wine) |
|---|---|
| Production | 8050 bottles |
| Bottling | May 15 2025 |
| Alcohol | 13.37% |
|---|---|
| RS | 2.7g/l |
| TA | 6.74g/l |
| PH | 3.28 |
Vine Garden aptly describes both the attention to detail in small scale viticulture on Hemelrand as well as the handful of grape varieties represented in the vineyard.
Winemaking and Maturation
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 Notes
High-energy, exotic nose of musky apricot and talcum, fresh apple and lime. On the palate the attack is like stoney mineral water, swiftly followed by mouth filling texture and tense tart acidity. A lovely Hemelrand wine, close to a perfect representation of the site.
