Alheit Vineyards - Lost & Found 2019
Alheit Vineyard is located in Hemelrand , in the Walker Bay region of South Africa . The Estate was created in 2011 by Chris Alheit , who after starting out making pineapple beer under his bed as a child, studied viticulture in Stellenbosch where he met his wife Susan with whom he manages today the Domain. After their studies, the couple traveled to different wine-growing regions of the world (Napa Valley, Saint Emilion, Australia, Germany, etc.), which aroused respect and admiration for committed viticulture . They work on 21 hectares of vines in several regions as well as parcels of lavender and olive trees. The 8 parcels of vines are located in Skurfberg, Piekenierskloof, Paardeberg, Bottelary Hills, Tygerberg, Franschhoek, False Bay and Hemel & Aarde. They have a minimalist approach to wine making, and for them 99% of the work is done in the vineyard and 1% in the cellar.
Lost and Found is a straw wine from an old vineyard in Hanepoot (Muscat of Alexandria). It is a unique wine and the last vintage grown by the De Wet/Boonzaaier family, who have lived and cultivated the Gevonden plot for six generations. The grapes were spread out on wooden supports and shade cloths to allow them to dry outside for a full 2 weeks. The raisins obtained were pressed for 5 days at full pressure. This juice was fermented for more than a year in stainless steel tanks. The wine has a residual sugar content of 450 g/L . Only 5,300 bottles were produced.
Grape variety: 100% Hanepoot (Muscat of Alexandria)