Alheit Vineyards started in 2010 by husband and wife team Chris and Suzaan Alheit. They met while studying winemaking in Stellenbosch. After travelling and working vintages around the world together in Napa Valley, Western Australia, St. Emilion, Clare Valley and Mosel, they returned home to make wine out of many old dry farmed bush vine vineyards in South Africa.
Both Chris and Suzaan believe that great wines are 99% made in the vineyard and 1% made in the winery. Their aim is to capture the ‘voice of the land’ by minimal intervention in the winery. The grapes are cooled, hand sorted, and whole bunch pressed. The resulting juice is lightly settled, run off into a neutral vessel and then left alone for the ambient yeasts to ferment.
Alheit only produces white wines because not only do they love white wines, they believe that the Cape is capable of producing world class whites. Their apex wine, Cartology (study of maps), symbolises their exploration of the Cape's heritage as the grapes used in Cartology: 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Semillon were brought to the Cape as far back as 1655. As a result, these varieties have had centuries to adapt to the land and the Mediterranean climate. The vines for Cartology range from 35 and 84 years old. After fermentation, the wine stays on its lees for another year and then four months in tank before bottling with minimal SO2 used. Cartology is undeniably a flag bearer for the treasured old vineyards of South Africa, the depth and characteristics of this wine is uniquely South African. The wine has a complex nose of citrus and pear with some savouriness and toastiness. The palate is vibrant, seamless, full of energy and focused. The palate weight is moderate, with great concentration and balanced acidity.
