Hartenberg Wine Estate | Stellenbosch
Established in 1692, Hartenberg Estate should need little introduction, as one of South Africa`s oldest wineries with one of the most respected winemakers in the Western Cape at its helm. This man, cellar master Carl Schultz, has been in residence at Hartenberg and making these wines for nearly 30 years now. A quiet, gentle man, Carl has a deep connection to the terroir as well as an uncompromising commitment to quality. His wines are consistently pure, elegant and terroir-driven. He is also a member of the Cape Wine Makers Guild and the estate has been rated as one of South Africa’s First Growth producers by wine critic Tim Atkin MW.
Hartenberg is nestled on the free draining north-eastern slopes of the Bottelary Hills in the Stellenbosch region, where the Mediterranean climate, cool breezes channelled down the valley from the ocean, and poor gravelly soils are great for grape growing. As a leading member of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative in South Africa, they have established various initiatives to protect the 170 hectares of natural wetland on the farm, ensuring the health of the vines and a sustainable future for the estate.
Their Riesling vineyard is planted on clay-rich soils and harvested entirely by hand. The Sauvignon Blanc sees a similarly bespoke approach at harvest time, with multiple passes made through the vineyard in order to pick the grapes at optimal ripeness, and to avoid any unpleasant vegetal aromas in the final wine. The Eleanor Chardonnay is a serious style made to honour the matriarch of the historically most influential family to own the estate prior to the current day. Strong and resolute in character, yet always sophisticated and poised, the influence of Eleanor Finlayson`s spirit seems evident in this wine.
The Cabernet Shiraz is one of the best value wines in South Africa and is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. A rich and fruity wine with peppery notes. The award-winning Shiraz - the grape variety that made Hartenberg famous - is spicy and elegant with perfumed violet aromas. The Stork Shiraz is named after Ken MacKenzie who overhauled winemaking at Hartenberg from 1986; he was nicknamed "The Stork" by his World War Two fighter pilot friends because of his long legs! Finally Gravel Hill, the first single vineyard Shiraz produced in South Africa, was initially crafted exclusively for the Cape Winemaker's Guild Auction and is now the longest running wine in the history of the Guild.
