Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the granite soils of South Africa
In 2002, when the Newton Johnson family first started planting vineyards on their newly acquired farm in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, they were working on a blank canvas. The land had never been planted to vineyards before. A few trailblazers like Hamilton Russell had shown that the decomposed shale in the lower part of the valley nearer the ocean was suitable for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but the Newton Johnson farm was located further up the valley on a seam of granite subsoil. They therefore planted with more emotion than knowledge, led by a desire to work with Pinot Noir but also keen to discover what else might work in their area. The success of their first vintage in 2008 cemented Pinot Noir as their flagship variety.
22 years later they have 15 hectares of vines on the Newton Johnson farm, planted on the north-facing slopes of the valley, and a further 6 hectares on their Sandford farm, planted on the opposite, cooler south-facing slope. Pinot Noir makes up 45% of their plantings, but Chardonnay has also been a great success, along with Albarino and small plantings of Rhone varieties. Granite soils drain quickly, forcing the vines to drive their roots deep in search of water. This results in a large canopy and bigger berries, giving perfumed wines with more red fruit and brighter acidity due to delayed ripening. This perfume has become a hallmark of the Newton Johnson style.
The Family Vineyards Pinot Noir is crafted entirely from estate fruit, with three plots on the Newton Johnson farm and one on the Sandford vineyard as of 2021. The delicately pale appearance – larger berries mean thinner skins and less colour – belies the intensity of the wine. Complex, elegant and age-worthy, it is regarded as one of the best examples of the varietal to come out of South Africa. The Family Vineyards Chardonnay comes from three plots, two on Newton Johnson and one on Sandford; it is marked by the cool-climate energy of the Sanford vineyard which balances generous texture from 22% new oak, beautifully executed. /JH
Offered subject to remaining unsold; available Autumn 2024
