Heaven and Earth in Walker Bay

A scant decade ago Walker Bay did not enjoy official recognition; nowadays this is a separately demarcated area. The Walker Bay pocket stretches from the small village of Bot River in a southerly direction to the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley outside Hermanus (famed for whale watching too)

It is a cool climate region with high rainfall. Geologically the area is diverse and the resultant marginal soils, unique to this coastal area, together with the wind serve to curtail excessive vigour and restrict crop yields for improved grape quality.

Until now the focus has been Burgundian with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but wine producers are discovering the areas huge potential in producing fine Sauvignon Blanc, aromatic Pinotage and Shiraz. Wines from the Walker Bay pocket have pronounced varietal flavours and are complex yet elegant. The generally cool conditions benefit the temperature sensitive varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Sauvignon Blanc from Southern Right is powerful with green fig, capsicum and mineral edge. Chardonnay is usually complex and flavoursome with a mineral finish. Pinot Noir from Bouchard Finlayson and Hamilton Russell show luxurious, creamy texture and cherry fruit with very fine tannins, while Newton Johnsons wines show more forest floor and earthy notes.

Discover Walker Bay, compare and contrast different styles of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in this mixed case of the estates and cellars in from the region.

Hamilton Russell
The farm was established in 1975 and pioneered wine production in the Walker Bay appellation. It is nestled in the lower Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and enjoys close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean which provides a constant flow of cool air. Average maximum temperatures during the hottest months only reaches 25°C. The combination creates ideal slow ripening conditions for the heat sensitive Burgundian varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Founded by Anthony Hamilton Russsell (owner of Hamilton Russell) in 1994, Southern Wright cellars specialises in Pinotage. He is convinced that Pinotage has the intrinsic qualities to produce truly world class wine with a distinct South African expression and typicity. With each bottle of Southern Right wine sold (Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc), Southern Right Cellars makes a contribution to the Southern Right whale in the Walker Bay after which the winery was named.

Bouchard Finlayson
Peter Finlayson is aptly described as the pioneer of Pinot Noir in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley and, for that matter, South Africa as a whole. After a dozen years of working with this variety on neighbouring Hamilton Russell, Finlayson joined Burgundian Paul Bouchard to set up the boutique winery of Bouchard Finlayson, nestled in the Hemel-en Aarde valley. Since it maiden vintage of 1991 the small cellar has been dedicated to the production of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Sangiovese (varietal used in Chianti) and other Tuscan and French varieties are under exploration. The estate also enjoys close proximity to the Atlantic. The sheltering Galpin Peak and Tower of Babel mountains trap cloud cover and moisture from the prevailing cool Atlantic sea breezes which in turn promote flavour rich grapes.

Sumaridge
The newest winery in the region with their first bottling in 2001 and just six short years on this winery has established a solid reputation for Pinot Noir. Winemaker Gavin Patterson is of the opinion that Pinot Noir from Hemel-en-Aarde ‘will always be very special – because of the climate and the soils. Most of us in the Valley are passionate about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but there is a recognition that Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc can do equally well, if not better – either alone or in blends’.

Newton Johnson
The cellar has a spectacular location, boasting valley, mountain and sea views galore and their hit eatery Heaven is ready for expansion due to its popularity. Along with the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, the wines that are evoking the most interests are their Syrah-Mourvèdre and Pour Mes Amis (Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon).

Sources: South African Wines Terroir & Travel by Elmari Swart & Izak Smit Wine magazine ( www.winemag.co.za ) John Platter Wine Guide 2007