A distinctive white field blend from Alheit Vineyards, grown at 360 metres on the cool, windswept Hemel & Aarde Ridge. The 2022 combines Chardonnay, Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, Verdelho and Muscat, creating an aromatic and complex expression of the vineyard. Salted lemon, quince, apricot, white flowers and oatmeal lead into a rich, textured palate with vibrant acidity, mineral freshness and a long, persistent finish. The grapes were whole-bunch pressed, naturally fermented in old barrels and kept on lees for around 12 months before a further six months in tank on fine lees.

Decanter | D 95
Published: Mar 16, 2024
Drink: 2024-2037

Chris and Suzaan Alheit believe in 'clean and simple winemaking' to honour the Cape's identity. Planted in 2010 on a cool and breezy ridge, this unique field blend showcases some of South Africa’s signature grapes, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, co-fermented with Roussanne, Verdelho, a touch of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains – just enough to give the nose an exotic and filigreed opener to this food-friendly wine. Straw yellow in colour, with aromas of lemon, beeswax, meadow grass, and white flowers, the mouth-coating succulence balances the unbridled acidity with flavors of lemon drop, sage, and essence of candied ginger.

James Suckling | JS 93
Published: Oct 24, 2023

Honeysuckle, apricot stones, crushed almonds and baked apples on the nose, with a touch of grapefruit rind. Aromatic grapey and floral character peeping through, but not loud. It’s full-bodied and lightly oily, but cool, elegant and fresh. 31% chardonnay, 29% roussanne, 20% chenin blanc, 18% verdelho and 2% muscat. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate | RP 89+
Published: Dec 30, 2023
Drink: 2023-2031

Composed of 31% Chardonnay, 29% Roussanne, 20% Chenin, 18% Verdelho and 2% Muscat, the nose of the 2022 Hemelrand Vine Garden is fresh and floral for an intriguing blend. Medium to full-bodied, the palate continues to uncoil and unwind, revealing a fresh, bright finish. Just under 4,000 bottles were produced.

Jancis Robinson | JR 17.5+
Published: Sep 11, 2023
Drink: 2024-2034

A field blend from a marginal, cold and windy vineyard at 360 m above sea level on gravelly clay and sandstone. Planted in 2010 to Chardonnay, Roussanne, Verdelho, Chenin Blanc and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. Depending on vintage conditions, the proportions of the different grapes produced varies significantly each vintage. In 2022 it was 31% Chardonnay, 29% Roussanne, 20% Chenin, 18% Verdelho, 2% Muscat. Everything was picked and fermented together after whole-bunch pressing. Spontaneous fermentation took two months in old barrels. The wine stayed on lees for 12 months and then spent six months in tank on fine lees before bottling. RS 2.7 g/l, TA 5.85, pH 3.33.
You could almost have convinced me that this was a dry Tokaj Furmint and Hárslevelű blend. It's scrumptious and head-bending in that it smells and tastes as if it should be sweet, but it's pretty much bone dry. It's a mosaic of apricots, quince, flowers, lime candy, pineapple and mango. Spicy. Iridescent with energy and ripe rounded acidity. Dried-peaches texture gives the wine a lovely chewy finish. I guess this wine is very different every year, but the vineyard seemed to have puts its whole heart and soul into the 2022! I love this wine! GV Tamlyn Currin

Alheitvineyards.co.za

Hemelrand Vine Garden is a unique vineyard that produces a unique wine. The idea is
to bottle the wine just as the vineyard produces it, effectively creating a white field
blend that changes every year depending on the vintage conditions. This way we have
one place expressed by a few different grapes, changing as the season dictates. The
wine is always remarkable and continues to gain in stature as the vines mature.

Vineyards
Hemelrand 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.

As always, the nose is intense and exotic, sporting salted lemon and quince, oatmeal
and a hint of white flowers. The palate has tremendous drive, with great acidity
balancing richness. Very long finish. This is a great Vine Garden vintage.

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.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 14.35%
Closure: Natural Cork
Harvest: 2022
Oak: Old French oak barrels
Varietals: 31% Chardonnay, 29% Roussanne, 20% Chenin Blanc, 18% Verdelho, 2% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Skin Contact: Whole-bunch pressed with minimal settling
Winemaker: Chris & Suzaan Alheit
Region: Hemel & Aarde Ridge, Western Cape, South Africa

Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
Decanting: Not required; allow 15–20 minutes in the glass
Food Pairing: Grilled fish, shellfish, roast poultry, pork, seafood risotto, spicy Asian dishes and mature soft cheeses