Hemel-en-Aarde: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay by the Atlantic
Just 6.7 kilometres from the coastal town of Hermanus lies Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa's small but celebrated cool-climate region right on the Atlantic. This is where some of the country's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are made – shaped by a cool maritime climate and the region's distinctive Bokkeveld Shale soils.
From award-winning estates like Hamilton Russell, Ataraxia and Bouchard Finlayson to rising newcomers: discover our selection of wines from Hemel-en-Aarde – available to buy conveniently online.
Upper Hemel en Aarde Sauvignon Blanc
- Bosman Family Vineyards
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Jahrgang 2024 - John Platter: 4.5 Sterne
Content: 0.75 Litre (€18.60* / 1 Litre)
No longer available
Upper Hemel en Aarde Pinot Noir
- Bosman Family Vineyards
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Pinot Noir
- Jahrgang 2024 - John Platter: 5 Sterne
- Jahrgang 2024 - Tim Atkin 2025: 91 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€27.93* / 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 (€40.00* / 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 (€20.00* / 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 (€52.00* / 1 Litre)
No longer available
Tête de Cuvée
- Bouchard Finlayson
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Pinot Noir
- John Platter: 4.5 Sterne / 94 Punkte
- Tim Atkin 2023: 95 Punkte
- Robert Parker: 94 Punkte
- Decanter Awards 2025: Silber
Content: 0.75 Litre (€130.67* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Chardonnay
- Boekenhoutskloof
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Chardonnay
- John Platter: 4.5 Sterne / 94 Punkte
- Tim Atkin 2022: 93 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€36.00* / 1 Litre)
No longer available
Merlot
- Creation Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Merlot
- John Platter: 4.5 Sterne / 90 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€34.60* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
GPS Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Pinot Noir
- Richard Kershaw Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Pinot Noir
- John Platter: 4.5 Sterne / 94 Punkte
- Robert Parker: 92 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€46.67* / 1 Litre)
No longer available
Methode Ancestrale Weisser Riesling
- Bosman Family Vineyards
- sparkling wine - Extra Brut
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Weißer Riesling
Content: 0.75 Litre (€20.00* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Art of Chardonnay
- Creation Wines
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Chardonnay
- John Platter: 5 Sterne / 95 Punkte
- Winemagazine South Africa 2025: 94 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€92.00* / 1 Litre)
No longer available
Pinot Noir Reserve
- Whalehaven Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Hemel-en-Aarde Region
- Pinot Noir
- John Platter:4.5 Sterne / 90 Punkte
- ISWC 2024: Silber / 90 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€29.33* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
The Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Region
Hemel-en-Aarde – Afrikaans for "heaven and earth" – is a small but highly regarded wine region within the Walker Bay district on South Africa's south coast. Its history as a wine region only began in 1975, when Tim Hamilton-Russell went looking for a terroir in the style of Burgundy and found it here. What started as a single estate has grown into one of South Africa's most respected cool-climate regions, now home to around 20 wineries.
Terroir and Climate
Proximity to the Atlantic shapes the region's climate decisively: cool ocean breezes allow for a slow, even ripening of the grapes while preserving their freshness and acidity. The soils are predominantly Bokkeveld Shale with an unusually high clay content, which lends the wines additional structure and depth.
The Three Wards of Hemel-en-Aarde
The region is divided into three official wards, each with its own character: the original Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, where the first vines were planted in 1975, the higher-lying Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, and the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. All three benefit from the cool climate but differ in altitude, soil composition and slope orientation.
Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay form the heart of the region and are considered the flagship varieties for the Burgundian style Hemel-en-Aarde aims for. The range is complemented by Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and, occasionally, White Riesling, all of which also benefit from the region's cool conditions.
Recommended Wineries from Hemel-en-Aarde
Particularly noteworthy are Hamilton Russell, the founding estate and pioneer of the region, Bouchard Finlayson, known for the internationally acclaimed "Tête de Cuvée" Pinot Noir, and Ataraxia Wines, known for multi-award-winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
Other wineries from Hemel-en-Aarde in our range: Ashbourne, Bosman Family Vineyards, Creation Wines, and Whalehaven Wines.
Buy Hemel-en-Aarde Wines With Us
If you're looking for elegant, Burgundy-inspired wines with cool freshness, Hemel-en-Aarde delivers. With us, you can buy wines from this exceptional region online and experience their depth and elegance for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hemel-en-Aarde
- Why is the region called "Hemel-en-Aarde"?
The name is Afrikaans for "heaven and earth", describing the striking landscape between mountains and sea.
When was the Hemel-en-Aarde wine region founded?
In 1975, when Tim Hamilton-Russell established his estate here while searching for a Burgundy-like terroir.
Which grape varieties are typical for Hemel-en-Aarde?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate, complemented by Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage.
Which wards make up Hemel-en-Aarde?
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, each with its own terroir character.
Is a Pinot Noir from Hemel-en-Aarde comparable to Burgundy?
Stylistically, yes: the cool climate and clay-rich soils produce elegant, Burgundy-inspired Pinot Noirs.
Which Hemel-en-Aarde wineries do we carry?
Among others, Hamilton Russell, Ataraxia, Bouchard Finlayson, Creation Wines, Crystallum and Boekenhoutskloof.
What foods pair well with wines from Hemel-en-Aarde?
Pinot Noir pairs well with duck and salmon, Chardonnay with poultry and seafood.
How long can wines from Hemel-en-Aarde be aged?
Many Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays age well for 5–10 years, depending on the estate and vintage.
Do wines from Hemel-en-Aarde make a good gift?
Yes, especially acclaimed bottles like the Bouchard Finlayson Tête de Cuvée make an impressive gift.