{"title":"Restless River | Hemel-en-Aarde","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/Restless_River_Ava_Marie_Chardonnay_Vineyard.jpg?v=1786549196\" alt=\"Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay Vineyard in the Hemel-en-Aarde wine region\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in the Upper \u003cb\u003eHemel-en-Aarde Valley\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eRestless River\u003c\/b\u003e has transformed from a run-down sheep farm into one of \u003cb\u003eSouth Africa's\u003c\/b\u003e most celebrated boutique wine estates. The valley's high elevations and close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean provide regular cloud cover and cool coastal breezes, resulting in some of the coolest daytime temperatures in the country. This crisp, marginal climate, combined with ancient soils of decomposed granite and heavy clay, creates the perfect environment for crafting elegant, incredibly refined wines with a distinct sense of place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwner and self-taught winemaker Craig Wessels believes that great wine is made in the vineyard, spending the vast majority of his time working directly among the vines. The estate champions a highly natural, sustainable approach to farming by encouraging biodiversity, using natural mulch instead of chemical herbicides, and recycling invasive plants back into the soil. In the cellar, each grape variety is fermented using wild, native yeasts and matured in its own dedicated space. From ageing their beautifully fragrant \u003cb\u003eAva Marie Chardonnay\u003c\/b\u003e in unlined terracotta clay pots alongside French oak barrels, to giving all their wines up to two years of extended bottle ageing before release, every step relies on intuition and an unwavering commitment to quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story of the estate actually began in 2004 when Craig and his wife Anne purchased the farm simply to raise their family away from the city. By chance, the property happened to be home to the area's oldest remaining \u003cb\u003eChardonnay\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/b\u003e vines, originally planted in 1998. What started as a passionate hobby making wine in a small converted garage was officially launched to the public in 2012. Named after the local Onrus River—which translates from Afrikaans as Restless River—the estate perfectly captures Craig's endless drive to fine-tune his craft. Today, their layered \u003cb\u003eLe Luc Pinot Noir\u003c\/b\u003e and incredibly rare cool-climate \u003cb\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/b\u003e are highly allocated and beloved by fine wine enthusiasts around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"restless-river-main-road-dignity-cabernet-sauvignon","title":"Restless River Main Road \u0026 Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCrafted by Craig Wessels in the Upper \u003cb\u003eHemel-en-Aarde Valley\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eRestless River Main Road \u0026amp; Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/b\u003e is an extraordinary, cool-climate \u003cb\u003eSouth African\u003c\/b\u003e red wine from one of the country's most celebrated boutique producers. While this maritime region is traditionally famous for Burgundian grapes, these high, ocean-breezed slopes produce a world-class expression of \u003cb\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/b\u003e with remarkable elegance and fresh acidity. Sourced from three neighbouring estate vineyard plots perched up to 400 metres above sea level, the grapes enjoy a exceptionally long, slow ripening period. Grown on ancient soils of decomposed granite over heavy clay subsoil, the vines yield fruit with intense aromatic depth and vibrant natural acidity. In the cellar, the wine is handled with extreme care - fermented using wild, indigenous yeasts and subjected to gentle hand punch-downs to extract silky, fine-grained tannins without any harshness. Extended ageing in oak and bottle ensures every element comes together in perfect harmony. In the glass, it reveals a captivating aroma of classic blackcurrant, cedar, and crushed graphite, layered with subtle notes of local wild herbs and fynbos. On the palate, it is remarkably fresh and structured, balancing concentrated dark fruit against a spine of bright, mouth-watering acidity and a long, refined finish. A magnificent pairing for roast lamb, aged ribeye steak, or rich beef bourguignon. [#intro]\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAn extraordinary, high-elevation South African red packed with fresh blackcurrant, wild herbs \u0026amp; chalky tannins...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Restless River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58529691795837,"sku":"A21RESTLESSRIVERCABERNET","price":57.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/MainRDCabernet.jpg?v=1786602264"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/Restless_River_Collection_Image.jpg?v=1786549416","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/restless-river.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}