Tesselaarsdal

South Africa, Hemel & Aarde Ridge

One region in South Africa is especially suitable for lighter, more elegant styles; Hemel-en-Aarde, home of the renowned Hamilton Russell winery. Its Anthony Hamilton Russell’s protégé, Berene Sauls who stands at the top here with her delicate Tesselaarsdal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Tesselaarsdal was founded in 2015 by Berene Sauls a long-standing Hamilton Russell Vineyards employee. This wine is named after the historic Overberg farming hamlet of Tesselaarsdal, not far from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge wine appellation, in which Berene was born.

Winemaker & owner

Berene Sauls

Founded by Berene Sauls, Tesselaarsdal is the first wine project for Berene and, importantly, the first wine project wholly-owned by a member of a “previously disadvantaged community” in the Hemel-en-Aarde area and, indeed, the Overstrand.

Berene initially joined Hamilton Russell Vineyards in February 2001 as an au pair at the age of 19. She soon moved to an administrative position in the farm’s wine business and took another step up to manage the complicated administration linked to wine exports and the detail of labeling on the estate.

Fifteen years after starting her career in Hemel-en-Aarde, Berene is proud of her latest accomplishment. She recognizes and appreciates the collaborative role of winemaker Emul Ross and the opportunity provided by Anthony Hamilton Russell. With a production of only 1202 bottles of the first 2015 vintage, the wine sold out quickly. Berene’s Tesselaarsdal wines were making history and leading the way forward for women in the wine industry, while adding to the quality collection of Hemel-en-Aarde wines.

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“One region in South Africa is especially suitable for lighter, more elegant styles; Hemel-en-Aarde, home of the renowned Hamilton Russell winery. Its Anthony Hamilton Russell’s protégé, Berene Sauls who stands at the top here with her delicate Tesselaarsdal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.”

Winemaking

Our philosophy

Experiencing so many aspects of the business, I became curious about winemaking, the delicate process from grape to bottle, the layered wine culture—living the excitement of each harvest

  • Sustainable winegrowing

  • Berene Sauls, female winemaker and owner, is making history for women in the wine industry in SA with her top quality Hemel-en-Aarde wines

  • Expression of terroir of the cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

Collection

Our wines

Founded by Berene Sauls, Tesselaarsdal is the first wine project for Berene and, importantly, the first wine project wholly-owned by a member of a “previously disadvantaged community” in the Hemel-en-Aarde area and, indeed, the Overstrand.

Tesselaarsdal Pinot NoirTesselaarsdal Chardonnay

RED WINE

Tesselaarsdal Pinot Noir

Extreme care is taken to ensure this small-production, classically styled Pinot noir expresses the personality of the cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge from un-irrigated vines and its elevated, stony, clay and iron-rich soils.

A bright, tight and pure Pinot Noir with marked elegance. Clean and lifted wild red fruit and sour cherry aromas introduce a long, gentle palate with a salty minerality.

92/100 Tim Atkin

WHITE WINE

Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay

Extreme care is taken to ensure this small-production, classically styled Chardonnay. It expresses the personality of the cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge from un-irrigated vines and its elevated, stony, clay and iron-rich soils.

Clean and lifted primary fruit character and citrus blossom introduce a long, gentle palate, very expressive but also deliciously classical and restrained.

92/100 Tim Atkin

93/100 Greg Sherwood MW