Tesselaarsdal, Pinot Noir, 2024

Red Cherry, Savoury Spice, Silky

Hemel-en-Aarde / Red / Pinot Noir / Sustainable

The vineyards are sustainably farmed, and all fruit is hand-harvested from high-altitude sites in the cool-climate Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. The grapes are destemmed but not crushed, undergoing a gentle cold soak before spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts. Fermentation takes place in small open-top fermenters with minimal intervention and gentle punch-downs. The wine is matured in French oak barrels (20% new) for around 9 months, allowing a subtle integration of oak without overshadowing the purity of fruit. Bottling is done with minimal fining and filtration, preserving the delicate expression and elegance of Pinot Noir from this unique coastal terroir.

Notes on the producer

Tesselaarsdal was founded in 2015 by Berene Sauls, long-time protégé of Hamilton Russell Vineyards, where she began her career in 2001. Encouraged and supported by Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell, Berene established her own label, naming it after the historic rural settlement of Tesselaarsdal near Caledon, where her family has lived for generations. Her focus is on crafting refined, site-driven wines that reflect the cool maritime climate and clay-rich soils of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Berene works with select growers in the area, maintaining meticulous attention to fruit quality and detail in the cellar. The resulting wines—particularly her Pinot Noir—are celebrated for their poise, purity, and quiet strength, mirroring her own journey as one of South Africa’s most inspiring modern winemakers.