South Africa 2021

The Vrede Chardonnay comes from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, at 150m elevation and just 1.4km from the sea, and a north facing site. Here, Hannes manages the warmth of the site spectacularly. Vrede means peace in Afrikaans, and this has a sense of balance and effortless power that’s befitting of that name.

The 2020 Ridge Chardonnay is a nervy, vibrant wine from one of the Cape’s masters of the grape variety. Apple blossom, sea spray, and a slight floral element give a totally charming expression of Chardonnay.

The Vrede Pinot Noir comes from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, at 150m elevation and just 1.4km from the sea, and a north facing site. The warmest site Hannes works with, this has ripe dark fruit, rounded tannins, and plenty of spice on the finish.

Ignis Pinot Noir is from the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, and is 2km further inland than the Vrede vineyard, and 100m higher in elevation. Here the soil is totally different, with plenty of quartz, decomposed granite, and just enough clay to give a textured element. It’s perfumed and finessed, with incredible length. This will be spectacular: give it time.

The Ridge vineyard is the youngest vineyard Hannes works with, from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge ward. Here harvest undertaken some 25 days later than in the Valley, and the resulting wine has remarkable power and depth, as well as a coolness.