Hemel-en-Aarde is a wine-producing area of Walker Bay in the Western Cape of South Africa. The region’s close proximity to the coast means that it enjoys a distinctly maritime climate. Elegant, cool-climate wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are a particular specialty of the region.
The Hemel-en-Aarde viticultural zone lies in a valley that extends 16 miles (27km) eastwards from the whale-watching town of Hermanus on the coast. It is bordered on the north side by the Babylonstoren Mountains, and on the south by the Kleinrivier Mountains. The Onrust River runs through the valley.
The vineyards of Hemel-en-Aarde rarely lie further than 8 miles (12km) from Walker Bay. The Antarctic Benguela current of the Atlantic Ocean brings cooling breezes to the area, predominantly from the south-east. This oceanic influence means that average summer temperatures in Hemel-en-Aarde are significantly cooler than regions further inland such as Stellenbosch and Paarl. Clouds are hemmed in by the surrounding mountains, trapping cool air and moisture in the narrow Hemel-en-Aarde valley.
Vineyards stretch along the valley floor, but more often than not reach up the foothills of the mountains to altitudes of up to 350m above sea level. White-wine varieties such as Chardonnay prefer the shaded south-facing slopes, while red-wine varieties such as Pinot Noir do well on the north-facing slopes that have greater access to sunlight. The exposure to both sun and wind on these slopes leads to a longer ripening period, allowing the vines to produce grapes with concentrated flavors and good acidity.
The soils in the region are largely Bokkeveld shale, Table Mountain sandstone and decomposed granite. These provide excellent drainage, particularly on elevated vineyards, causing the vines to grow deep, strong root systems. Low fertility in these soils ensures the vines do not waste precious energy on producing foliage. The high clay content of the soils found in Hemel-en-Aarde is reminiscent of the Cote d’Or in Burgundy.
Hemel-en-Aarde (which means ‘heaven and earth’ in the Afrikaans language) has enjoyed significant international attention in recent years for the Burgundian-style wines produced here.
