Ataraxia – Tranquillity, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Earthborn, Skin Contact and the Cuvée Serenity
Ataraxia means tranquillity. That is the name of the winery that Kevin Grant founded in 2004 on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, after ten vintages at Hamilton Russell. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grow in sites up to almost 400 metres above sea level. The Chardonnay comes as the classic wine, as Earthborn and as Skin Contact, and the Cuvée Serenity completes the range.
Find your calm and taste your way through the range: here you can buy Ataraxia wine, from the fresh Sauvignon Blanc through the Chardonnays to the Pinot Noir Whole Cluster.
Sauvignon Blanc
- Ataraxia Wines
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Cape South Coast
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Tim Atkin 2025: 91 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€23.93* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Chardonnay
- Ataraxia Wines
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Walker Bay
- Chardonnay
- Tim Atkin 2024: 92 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€45.33* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Serenity
- Ataraxia Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Western Cape
- Pinotage - blend
- Jahrgang 2020 - Tim Atkin 2023: 92 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€34.60* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Mirakel Petnat Chardonnay Pinot Noir
- Ataraxia Wines
- sparkling wine - Extra Brut
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Chardonnay - blend
Content: 0.75 Litre (€26.60* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Pinot Noir
- Ataraxia Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Pinot Noir
- Tim Atkin 2024: 93 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€49.27* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Chardonnay Earthborn
- Ataraxia Wines
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Chardonnay
- Tim Atkin 2024: 94 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€77.33* / 1 Litre)
No longer available
Pinot Noir Earthborn
- Ataraxia Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Cape South Coast
- Pinot Noir
Content: 0.75 Litre (€73.33* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Marroquin Cinsault
- Ataraxia Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Cape Coast
- Cinsault
- Tim Atkin 2023: 90 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€30.60* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Chardonnay Skin Contact
- Ataraxia Wines
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Chardonnay
- Tim Atkin 2024: 92 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€77.33* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Pinot Noir Whole Cluster
- Ataraxia Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Cape South Coast
- Pinot Noir
- Tim Atkin 2022: 90 Punkte
- Winemagazine South Africa 2022: 95 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€73.33* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Ataraxia Wines
From Hamilton Russell to His Own Winery
Kevin Grant spent ten vintages at Hamilton Russell before he founded his own winery with his wife Hanli in 2004.[1][2] The land on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge used to belong to the Nidderdale sheep farm and was planted with apple and pear orchards.[2]
The name Ataraxia comes from ancient Greek. It is attributed to the philosopher Pyrrho and describes a state of calm imperturbability.[1]
The first wines appeared with the 2005 vintage.[2] Grant makes all the wines himself, and no separate winemaker is employed.[3]
Vineyards Up to Almost 400 Metres Above Sea Level
The highest vineyards lie at 398 metres, and the Wine Lounge at 368 metres.[3] The Atlantic is about eight kilometres away and provides cooling.[1]
The estate covers around 47 hectares, and parts of it are farmed organically.[4] Fourteen soil types have been found on the slopes, including Table Mountain sandstone, granite and shale.[4]
The main varieties are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.[3] Grant does not plant Sauvignon Blanc because the estate has no sandy soils. The grapes for it come from Elgin.[3][4]
Chardonnay as the Flagship
Chardonnay is considered the estate's signature variety.[4] The 2024 Chardonnay ferments with natural yeasts, matures for eleven months in French oak, 17 percent of it new, and does not go through malolactic fermentation.[4]
For this, Grant uses an old Burgundian technique: the grapes are roughly crushed and deliberately exposed to oxygen, so that the must turns almost black. The oxidised phenols drop out during fermentation, and the wine stays clear and resistant to later oxidation.[4]
The Earthborn Chardonnay 2023 comes from organically grown grapes, ferments spontaneously and matures with around 15 percent new French oak.[4] The Skin Contact Chardonnay 2022 also ferments spontaneously and spends ten months in older 225-litre barrels.[4]
Pinot Noir, Serenity and Other Wines
Pinot Noir is now a firm part of the range.[4] The first Pinot Noir from the estate's own grapes was made in 2011 and was initially declassified.[3]
The 2024 Pinot Noir grows on shale, a fifth of the grapes are fermented with their stems, and around 10 percent of the oak is new.[4]
The Cuvée Serenity 2021 is half Pinot Noir from the estate. A quarter each comes from Pinotage and Cinsault from Stellenbosch, and the wine matures for eleven months in French barriques, 20 percent of them new.[4]
The 2025 Sauvignon Blanc from Elgin shows passion fruit and citrus, fresh and green.[4]
Vineyard facts
- Year of established:
- 2004
- Address:
- The Skyfields Farm, Hemel-en-Aarde Road, Hermanus, 7200
- Geo data address:
- -34.34074721913941, 19.308676257669756
- Our recommendation:
- Ataraxia Chardonnay
- Why you should visit:
- Weinverkostungen
- Atemberaubende Aussicht
- Phone:
- +27 (0) 28 2122007
- Vineyard website:
- https://www.ataraxiawines.co.za/
Frequently Asked Questions about Ataraxia
Where is Ataraxia located?
The winery lies on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, with the highest vineyards at 398 metres.[3] The address is The Skyfields Farm, Hemel-en-Aarde Road, Hermanus.
Who is behind Ataraxia?
Kevin Grant founded the winery in 2004 with his wife Hanli.[1] Before that he spent ten vintages at Hamilton Russell.[2]
What does the name Ataraxia mean?
The name comes from ancient Greek and is attributed to the philosopher Pyrrho.[1] It describes a state of calm imperturbability.[1]
Which grape varieties does Ataraxia grow?
The main varieties on the estate are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.[3] Sauvignon Blanc comes from Elgin, and for the Cuvée Serenity, Pinotage and Cinsault come from Stellenbosch.[3][4]
Which soils are found on the estate?
Fourteen soil types have been found on the slopes, including Table Mountain sandstone, granite and shale.[4] The 2024 Pinot Noir grows on shale.[4]
What is special about the Ataraxia Chardonnay?
Grant uses an old Burgundian technique in which oxygen turns the must almost black.[4] This leaves the wine clear and resistant to later oxidation.[4]
How do Earthborn and Skin Contact differ from the classic Chardonnay?
The Earthborn 2023 comes from organically grown grapes and ferments spontaneously, with around 15 percent new French oak.[4] The Skin Contact 2022 also ferments spontaneously and spends ten months in older 225-litre barrels.[4]
How is the Pinot Noir made?
For the 2024 vintage, a fifth of the grapes are fermented with their stems, and around 10 percent of the oak is new.[4]
What is the Cuvée Serenity?
The 2021 vintage is 50 percent Pinot Noir from the estate, 25 percent Pinotage and 25 percent Cinsault.[4] It matures for eleven months in French barriques, 20 percent of them new.[4]
Which Ataraxia wines can I buy from you?
In our range you will find, among others, the Sauvignon Blanc, the Chardonnay, the Chardonnay Earthborn, the Chardonnay Skin Contact, the Pinot Noir, the Pinot Noir Whole Cluster, the Cuvée Serenity, the Marroquin Cinsault and the Mirakel Pét-Nat.