The Alheit Fire by Night Chenin Blanc 2022 is a pure and expressive single-origin wine from the Paardeberg’s Nuwedam farm in Swartland—home to dry-farmed bush vines rooted deep in decomposed granite soils. Crafted with minimal intervention and wild fermentation in cement eggs, foudres, and old barrels, it captures the clarity and minerality of its terroir. Aromas of sea shells, chamomile, white grapefruit, quince, and waxed lemon lead to a finely textured palate brimming with citrus, stone fruit, and herbal notes. Sleek, precise, and high-energy, this Chenin Blanc radiates purity and tension, embodying the vibrant soul of the Paardeberg.

James Suckling | JS 93
Published: Oct 24, 2023

Sea shells, chamomile, white grapefruit and waxed lemons on the nose with a touch of juniper berry. Precise and pure, with a cool creaminess and a medium body. Sleek and honest. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast | WE 92
Published: Sep 1, 2024

Sweet and citrus aromas of quince, pear and lime shape the nose. Coming from old vines in Swartland, this is a fresh and delicate Chenin Blanc. The full-bodied palate features optimal acidity and notes of orange, lemon verbena and stone fruit that linger.

Alheitvineyards.co.za

Fire by Night is a single origin Chenin Blanc wine grown on our own Paardeberg property called Nuwedam. The Paardeberg holds a mythical place in our hearts. It is both ground zero for the quality revolution that’s sweeping the Cape, and home base for some of our country’s wine heroes. Previously under-valued, the Paardeberg sports an embarrassment of riches: pure decomposed granite soil and an abundance of dry-farmed old bushvines.

Vineyards
Situated on a high ridge (300-350m above sea-level) in the heart of the Paardeberg, Nuwedam is home to 20 Ha of mature dry farmed bushvine Chenin Blanc. The soil is pure decomposed granite, yielding wines of clarity and focus. Our vineyards were planted between 1972 and 1985 on various slopes, some facing East, some West, some North. This gives us a palette of options to work with to make our best possible wine from the property each vintage. These vines are our pride and joy. Their roots go deep, grabbing life out of the granite, humming their secret tune, calling your near.

Winemaking and Maturation
The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The juice is very lightly settled (we like very cloudy raw juice) with no additions to the raw juice, wild fermentation in cement eggs, foudres, and old barrels of various sizes. Fermentation lasted for about one month. The wine was kept on lees for around 12 months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further five months prior to bottling. Very simple, careful winemaking.

Tasting Notes
This vintage really captures the beauty of the Paardeberg: clean air, mountain herbs, tight and pithy, sprung with coiled up energy, spring water purity, an impression finely etched in granite. The nose shows some lovely flinty reduction, green citrus, and thatch. The palate is high energy, high fidelity, pure and racy. The finish is bracing and long.