Hemel En Aarde Ridge

This is the third and smallest appellation encountered as you proceed along the R320 from Hermanus and the furthest from the sea. It is not located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (geographically speaking) but at the headwaters of the Klein River Valley, from the watershed of the Onrust River downwards and eastwards. Ripening here, generally occurs later than for the other two Hemel-en-Aarde Area appellations.

Bokkeveld Shale-derived soils re-occur in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge and the overwhelming majority of the vineyards are on these stony clay-rich soils. The vineyards are planted with many different aspects from southerly to northerly, and the average altitudes of these vineyards are the highest of the three Hemel-en-Aarde Area appellations. The highest mountain slopes of this appellation have lighter structured Table Mountain Sandstone-derived soils.