Cape South Coast
The Cape South Coast is a recently designated South African wine region which is part of the Western Cape. It is located to the east of the Coastal region where most of South African wine production takes place. Due to its proximity to the ocean, cool climate grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are much more successful here than in most other parts of the country. Sparkling wine production is also experiencing some growth. Six wine-growing areas are located within its territory: Cape Agulhas, Elgin (considered the coolest part of South Africa), Overberg, Plettenberg Bay, Swellendam and Walker Bay.
The sub-regions: Overberg and Hemel-en-Aarde
Overberg is a district of the Cape South Coast and takes its name from its location in Cape Town which means "above the mountains". Overberg is a fairly recent wine appellation, as the territory is traditionally associated with the cultivation of apples and the production of grape juice. Altitude plays an important role in the Overberg. Vineyards can reach 700 meters above sea level, giving them more hours of sunshine than estates located at lower altitudes. This altitude, coupled with the cooling sea breezes of Walker Bay, results in a longer ripening season, often extending into March and April. These growing conditions make it possible to obtain balanced wines, complex in taste and with a good level of fresh acidity.
Hemel-en-Aarde (meaning "heaven and earth" in the Afrikaans language) is a wine region in Walker Bay in the Cape South Coast about 80 kilometers southeast of Cape Town. The proximity to the coast means that the region enjoys a distinctly maritime climate. Elegant, cool-climate wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a degree of Burgundian style are a particular specialty of the region, which has significantly increased its international reputation in recent years. The Antarctic Benguela Current from the Atlantic Ocean brings cooling breezes to the region. This oceanic influence means that average summer temperatures in Hemel-en-Aarde are significantly cooler than in areas further inland, such as Stellenbosch and Paarl. The clouds are surrounded by the surrounding mountains, trapping cool air and humidity in the narrow valley of Hemel-en-Aarde.