Alheit Vineyards : Fire by Night 2021

A concise and aromatic Western Cape white wine

The property

Located in the Walker Bay region of South Africa, Alheit Vineyards is a family estate created in 2011 by Chris and Suzaan Alheit. After travelling to the world's greatest wine-producing countries (United States, France, Australia, Germany), this young couple settled in 2010 on Hemelrand Farm, with the ambition of revealing the potential of old South African vineyards of Chenin and Semillon grapes.

Convinced that the quality and beauty of a wine comes exclusively from its vineyard of origin, they focus most of their work on rigorous vineyard management. Their minimalist approach to making white wines aims to capture the pure and authentic expression of these great terroirs with their rare and unique soil mosaic. Over the years, Alheit Vineyards has become one of South Africa's most fascinating estates.

The vineyard

Fire by Night 2021 from Alheit Vineyards is a Western Cape wine made from plots of land located between 300 and 350 metres above sea level in the heart of the Paardeberg in Nuwedam. The 20 hectares of old, goblet-pruned, non-irrigated Chenin Blanc vines were planted between 1972 and 1985 on various slopes, some facing east, west or north. The soil is pure old granite, giving this wine great precision.

The wine

This Fire by Night wine takes its name from a biblical reference in the Old Testament, according to which the Jewish people were led out of Egypt by a pillar of fire at night and a cloud by day.

Winemaking and ageing

After the harvest, the grapes were sorted by hand and pressed in whole bunches. The juice was very lightly settled. This goldsmith's vinification was carried out without any external additions and was minimal interventionist. Fermentation for about a month with indigenous yeasts in ovoid cement vats, in tuns and in old barrels of different sizes. Aged on the lees for about 12 months, with additional ageing in vats on fine lees without fining before bottling.

Blend

Chenin blanc (100%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Fire by Night 2021 from Alheit Vineyards

Tasting

Nose
nose unveils subtle notes of thatch, fynbos and citrus fruit.

Palate
Dense and concise, the palate entices with its lightly saline expression. During the tasting the palate releases delicious notes of honey and pear.

Storage

Fire by Night 2021 from Alheit Vineyards can be tasted today or can be laid down for some years to reveal all its aromatic potential.