# Hemelrand Vine Garden 2021 (2021)

- **Producer:** Alheit Vineyards
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay, Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Muscat
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €87
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** grapefruit, pear, apricot, honeysuckle, elderflower, apple, lemon, peach, pastry, cream, biscuit, butter, hazelnut, wet stones, honey, dried apricot, almond

## About this wine

The Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden 2021 is a white wine from the Hemel & Aarde Ridge in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is a unique field blend, comprising Chardonnay, Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, and Muscat, planted together in the same vineyard. This approach means the wine's character evolves each vintage, dictated by the specific growing conditions of that year. Alheit Vineyards, established in 2010 by Chris and Suzaan Alheit, focuses on expressing the distinctiveness of the Cape terroir through minimal intervention winemaking and a close relationship with old vines. The Hemelrand vineyard itself is situated at 360 meters above sea level on gravelly clay and sandstone soils, a marginal site that promotes slow ripening and high natural acidity, contributing to the wine's distinctive profile.

## Interesting facts

- A true field blend: grapes are planted together, not separately.
- Vineyard planted in 2010 on a marginal, high-altitude site.
- Minimal intervention winemaking is a core philosophy.
- Wine's profile changes significantly with each vintage.

## Food pairing

The wine's bright acidity cuts through richer textures and fattier components, while its complexity can stand up to and complement a range of flavors. The subtle savory notes can also bridge to dishes with earthy or herbal elements.

## Wine making process

The Hemelrand Vine Garden 2021 is produced using a field blend of grape varieties planted together. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard before being whole bunch pressed. The juice is lightly settled, and fermentation is initiated by wild yeasts in old barrels of various sizes. Fermentation typically lasts around two months, with Roussanne fermenting for a longer period. Following fermentation, the wine is aged on lees for approximately twelve months, then rests in tank on fine lees for an additional six months before bottling. Minimal intervention is a guiding principle throughout the process, with no fining.