Hearth is on track to become one of the country’s most serious names in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Made by Nadia Newton Johnson, whose experience in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley spans two decades, the Swinsian Chardonnay and Artjesvlei Pinot Noir come from a rare south-facing slope, where the exposed vineyards lend tension, freshness and individuality to these exceptional wines.
The 2024 vintage is Nadia’s best at Hearth and – with only a few barrels of wine made – we suggest you climb in and secure your order soonest.
The Swinsian Chardonnay 2024 is all about concentration. As the wind batters the southern slopes, the vines develop a very intense fruit profile. The resulting Chardonnay is powerful and serious with layers of salinity and citrus, and a purity of fruit that keeps it feeling effortless. This is Chardonnay at its best!
Few producers craft Pinots as haunting as Hearth’s Artjesvlei 2024. The small whole-bunch component and the weathered granite soils give energy to the wine, while 30% new oak rounds its edges and brings everything together. There’s a real sense of longevity here.
Nadia believes her wines should always reflect the vintage, and her 2024 releases are spot on.
Tasting Notes:
Hearth Swinsian Chardonnay 2024
‘From the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde, the 2024 vintage proves to be a serious one. The wine has an effortless power that draws you in. Aromas of citrus rind and orange blossom leap from the glass, with a distinct salinity running through both the nose and palate. A “crystalline structure”, as Nadia puts it. There’s real density and weight here, yet the wine remains pure and precise. It undergoes full malolactic fermentation, with 30% new oak, spending 10 months in barrel before a further four months in tank ahead of bottling.’ – Margeaux Goosen
Hearth Artjesvlei Pinot Noir 2024
‘Goosebumps from the get-go. The wine draws you in with cherry, wild strawberry and plum, all wrapped in a wonderfully romantic expression of Pinot Noir. The palate is lively and vibrant, with a silky-smooth texture and an effortless sense of flow. Spontaneous fermentation and 15% whole-bunch inclusion bring energy and lift, while herbal fynbos spice adds another layer of complexity. A lovely dry finish rounds it off. The wine spends close to a year in barrel, with 30% new oak that is neatly judged, adding polish without overshadowing the fruit.’ – Margeaux Goosen
