Husband and wife team Kevin and Hanli Grant founded Ataraxia Wines in 2004 as the culmination of a lifelong obsession with South Africa’s premier cool-climate wine country. A former zoologist, Kevin spent years unlocking the intricate soils and maritime breezes of the Hemel-en-Aarde region while heading up winemaking at the historic Hamilton Russell estate. Driven by a desire to push quality boundaries even further, he partnered with close friends to buy 50 hectares of untouched, prime vineyard land on an elevated ridge known locally as 'The Skyfields'.
This striking geographic location shapes the entire identity of the wines. Tucked directly beneath the towering Babylons Toren mountain range, the vineyards catch cool, crisp air blowing straight off the nearby Atlantic Ocean. This constant sea breeze creates a naturally temperate climate where the grapes ripen slowly, developing intense, layered flavours while locking in a vibrant, refreshing acidity. Here, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir find their natural home, thriving in ancient, stony soils that lend a distinct, stony complexity to the fruit.
Kevin follows a minimalist, non-interventionist approach in the cellar, stepping back to let the unique personality of this high-altitude landscape speak for itself. The results are exceptionally elegant bottles that easily hold their own alongside the world's finest counterparts. The Chardonnay is beautifully crisp and vibrant, showing layers of bright citrus and white stone fruit, while the Pinot Noir is wonderfully fragrant, bursting with fresh red berries and a touch of subtle, earthy spice. They are incredibly food-friendly, pairing perfectly with pan-seared salmon fillets, roast duck, or a creamy wild mushroom risotto.