Anthony Hamilton Russell founded Ashbourne in 1996 on a site adjacent to his eponymous estate because he believes that althogh his Pinots and Chardonnays are brilliant expressions of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, they are far from the limit of what can be achieved there. In particular he wanted to have South Africa`s own Pinotage grape able to achieve its potential in shale soils that are mostly clay and contain many fossils. Farming here is low intervention and that allows them to use naturally occurring yeasts. Now they have different varieties growing on adjacent sandstones and the aim is to have more terroir-focused wines to showcase the Hamilton Russell`s beloved South Africa. (CW 22/08/19)