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The name of the region literally translates to Heaven-on-Earth, and why not; with its picturesque beauty it does look like heaven. What added to its crown is the heavenly wines. It is like Burgundy in South Africa, most of the plantation id Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with small volume high quality wine producers.
Civilization in Hemel-en-Aarde traces back to 2.5 million years to the time ho Homo Erectus, the remains of their livelihood is visible in the region. From them to Hunter Gatherers to San (Bushmen), to Khoi Herders, to the Dutch and then the British.
Vineyards
Winemaking reached late to the region. It started with a path breaking land purchase in 1975 by famed Hamilton Russell family; they found out Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the best suited for the region and since then it was no looking back.
Hamilton Russell Winery
Terroir
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is a wine-producing Ward and Wine of Origin appellation in the Walker Bay district in the Western Cape of South Africa. It is one of three WO (Wine of Origin) in the Valley floor in walker bay and closest to the ocean.
· This location makes it a maritime climate. The closest point to the Atlantic Ocean Walker Bay, with its cooling influence of the cold Benguela current flowing up from Antarctica, is only 1.5km and the furthest point 10.6km. The summer wind blows across this bay towards the vineyards increasing the cooling effect. This means a great diurnal range, cooler days but warmer nights and cooler summers but warmer winters.
· The vineyards all along the valley floor to the foothills of the mountains, to altitudes of 350m from sea level.
· Better rainfall than other wine making regions. Around 750 mm.
· Bokkeveld Shale, sandstone and granite soil with high clay content that somehow replicates Burgundy. Excellent drainage and poor soil make the vine work harder to nourish itself and not waste energy on foliage.
The Appelations/ Wards of Hemel-en-Aarde
With the re-classification of Walker Bay; there was a creation of some relevant Wine Wards in the region. After research and analysis, the region is divided into 3 appellations:
· Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, created in August 2006
· Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, created in August 2006 and
· Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, created in June 2009.
These 3 appellations are on the side of an old fishing village and now resort town Hermanus.
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
The home to the origins of wine in Hemel- en- Aarde. It is closest to the Atlantic Ocean, and it was here where the first vineyards were planted. Mostly north facing vineyards with Bokkeveld shale with very high quantity of clay in them, classifying it as a low vigor soil. The ripening happens here first, out of all the regions. These conditions result in wines with great tannic structure, with deep fruit and floral tones.
Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Area wises the largest of the three Hemel-en-Aarde appellations. Ripening tends to occur later here than for the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation as it is the second closest Hemel-en-Aarde appellation to the sea.
The soil is mainly derived by sandstone and has less clay. This ward often yields much opulent wines with high intensity and aroma concentration with presence of herbs; but linear and softer on the palate.
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Smallest of all and furthest from Atlantic is Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. With an amphitheatre like structure of the area, the vineyards are planted with many different aspects from southerly to northerly. The average altitudes of these vineyards are the highest of the three Hemel-en-Aarde Area appellations.
It is the latest ripening of the three WO’s. the wines are of high fruit concentration and high natural acidity. Sounds like a great Pinot Noir already.
To conclude; It is one of the most beautiful wine regions with exceptional wines which are improving day by day. Wines of the regions show longevity, which means that they will age gracefully and will have a great future in coming days. Currently affordable, it is visible that it will demand great prices in coming 10 years.
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