Owned by two families, Dutch Van der Laans and South African Raats, Longridge farms biodynamically and is certified organic, ‘to let the vintage and terroir reveal themselves through the wines’. Cellarmaster Jasper Raats says his approach is ‘ultra-natural’, avoiding all commercial yeasts, enzymes, fining agents and filtration, and using minimal sulphur.
Planted almost thirty years ago by the legendary John Platter, Clos du Ciel, which means “Heavenly Vineyard”, has proven to produce an infinitely complex and unique but classic Chardonnay. Rooted in the oldest viticulture soil in the world, made up of decomposed granite on the higher slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, this vineyard enjoys the refreshingly cool breezes from False Bay (Atlantic Ocean) during the day and cool night air flowing down the mountain, resulting in even ripening and good, natural acidity. The macro climate is maritime with cold winters and sunny, warm summers.