South Africa
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Walker Bay
Our Story
Chris and Suzaan Alheit, a dedicated husband-and-wife winemaking team, draw inspiration from European traditions to craft exceptional white wines in the Cape. Based at Hemelrand on the Hemel and Aarde Ridge in Walker Bay, they focus on producing wines that combine elegance with power while avoiding excess weight. Their minimalist approach includes whole bunch pressing, natural fermentation in old barrels without new oak, and minimal intervention, eschewing enzymes, sulfur, or added yeast. The wines are aged on the lees for ten months, with fining and filtration applied only when necessary.
Established in 2011, the Alheits manage 21 hectares of dryland bush vines across various terroirs, including Skurfberg, Perdeberg, Bottelary Hills, False Bay, Botrivier, Franschhoek, and their home base at Hemelrand. Each vineyard contributes unique characteristics to their wines, from the bright, concentrated flavors of Perdeberg's granitic soils to the dark, meaty notes from Botrivier's sedimentary soils. The Alheits' dedication to their craft results in finely balanced wines that reflect their unique terroir and minimalist winemaking philosophy.
Wines
Cartology
Alheit Vineyards
Western Cape
Cartology is intended to be a picture of the Cape seen through the lens of her old vineyards in any given vintage. Dry farmed bushvines of Chenin Blanc and Semillon are naturally fermented sometimes in cement eggs, sometimes in clay pots, sometimes in foudres, and sometimes in old barrels. Citrus, pear, and cardamom spice.
Fire By Night Chenin Blanc
Alheit Vineyards
Western Cape
The predecessor of Broom Ridge and just as much of an ode to the Paardeberg. Granite soils, dry farmed bushvines of Chenin Blanc that is wildly fermented simultaneously in cement eggs and old barrels. Tangerine, quince, and bright acidity.
Hemelrand Vine Garden
Alheit Vineyards
Western Cape
Always a field blend with the intention to bottle the wine as the vineyard grew it. The Vinegarden is in the cold and windy part of Hemel en Aarde, with gravelly clay and sandstone soils. Wildly fermented in old barrels. Stone fruit, lemon rind, and baking spice.
Hereafter Here
Alheit Vineyards
Western Cape
2020 is in the inaugural vintage of this young bushvined Chenin Blanc. Two young blocks in Stellenbosch to start, with plans to expand into our soon-to-be own vineyards in the Swartland. All in tank. Pear, yellow fruits, and blossoms.
Huilkrans Chenin Blanc
Alheit Vineyards
Western Cape
Huilkrans is the name of a cliff on the Oudam Farm in the WO Citrusdal Mountain. The bushvine Chenin Blanc is wild fermented in 12 year old 300L barrels. Orange skin, custard, and rooibos spice.
Monument Semillon
Alheit Vineyards
Western Cape
Monument Sémillon is a single vineyard wine from Franschhoek, produced from old vines on La Colline farm, managed by Anton and Koos Roux. Planted in 1936 on granitic soil, the vineyard features unique Sémillon shades. The grapes are hand-sorted, whole bunch pressed, and undergo wild fermentation in old barrels for a month, followed by 18 months on primary lees before bottling. The wine has a nose of naartjie rind, nut oil, lanolin, and herbs, with a textured, deep palate and a long finish. This wine showcases the unique heritage of Cape Sémillon.
Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc
Alheit Vineyards
Western Cape
In the False Bay of Stellenbosch comes this single origin Chenin Blanc. Wild fermentation in 2000L foudres and kept on the lees for 12 months. Yellow fruit, sweet herbs, and mouth filling.
Featured Stories
A Hidden Gem of South African Wine: Why You Should Be Drinking Alheit
South Africa's wine scene is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered, offering an impressive variety of styles that cater to every palate. Kenneth Crum, sommelier and managing partner at Heroes & Pearl Box in NYC, recently highlighted this in an article by Katie Brown on VinePair.
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Exploring Alheit with Neil Martin of Vinous
Alheit Vineyards continues to set the benchmark for South African winemaking with its exceptional 2023 releases, as highlighted by renowned critic Neil Martin of Vinous.
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