SA Pinot standard-bearer Newton Johnson to go one better at Hemelzicht
THERE ISN’T ANY Pinot Noir planted at Hemelzicht Vineyards right now, but give them time and the partners aim to be making “the best possible wines in the Hemel-en-Aarde” – the brains trust comprising members of the Newton Johnson family in the Upper reaches of the valley, entrepreneur and fellow local Cairo Howarth, together with wine merchant Roland Peens, director of the Wine Cellar retail outfit in Cape Town and CEO of the new venture outside Hermanus. The property spans some 60 hectares and the vines currently include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Going forward, however, the main focus will shift to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, new plantings and replanting set to commence in 2022.
Previously, Hemelzicht grapes were all sold to other wine producers in the Hemel-en-Aarde. 2021 will be the first vintage of their own wines – small volumes expected on the market in 2022. A new winery will be built in a year or so. Until then the crop will be handled at the Newton Johnson cellar across the way. However, Peens anticipates that it will take seven years to reach full production of around 110 000 bottles and then some time after that for the vineyards to be at their best.
Next door to Hemelzicht is Restless River, a farm where Craig and Anne Wessels have established a reputation for fine Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. But at Newton Johnson, marketer Bevan and winemakers Gordon and Nadia have a preference for Pinot when it comes to reds. They’ve produced some of South Africa’s top expressions of the variety and have a track record second to none. Nadia Newton Johnson reflects that she, Gordon and Bevan have been part of a generation that has contributed to “the astronomical rise in reputation of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde over the past 25 years”. Hemelzicht, she says, is “an irresistible opportunity” to further enhance what the area is renowned for.
Development of the project is by way of a unique investment model. Besides equity in the company that owns the land, the brand, accommodation and winery, R1-million (£48K) gets you an annual allocation of wine and 15 days a year in luxury villas set among the vineyards and fynbos on the estate. For R3m or more you also get to make your own wine under the guidance of Newton Johnson. “Along with South Africans, investors from the UK have shown the strongest interest to date,” according to Peens. “We envisage around 30 shareholders from approximately 10 markets,” he says, and 50% of the shares are already spoken for.
