This property, established in 2010 by Chris and Suzaan Alheit, is located in South Africa. Before embarking on this venture, this gifted couple had already begun their journey both domestically and internationally working in California, Australia, and even in Germany, where they explored the magnificent terroir of the Mosel region. Through these experiences, they came to appreciate the importance of terroir, which they elevate through the least interventionist methods of viticulture and vinification possible. Unsurprisingly, the crops are hand-harvested, and native yeasts play a significant role in the winery. Convinced that white wines from the Cape Town region are really unique, they cultivate old Chenin Blanc vines, allowing the grapes to undergo alcoholic fermentation in wood. Their outstanding expertise allows the wines to unveil genuine elegance, dispelling any preconceived notions we may hold about southern hemisphere wines.

Magnetic North is devised from two plots of Chenin found in the Citrusdal Mountain ward, a wild mountainous area on the South African West Coast, sitting at an altitude of 520 metres. Planted between 1981 and 1984 on 2.8 hectares of the iron-rich red soil, the non-grafted Chenin were originally going to be removed. The domain decided to give them a chance and the 2013 vintage was bottled by individual vineyards. It turned out to be a particularly good decision as this wine very quickly became the star of the domain.
The grapes are harvested and sorted by hand before the whole bunches are pressed. Fermentation takes place in 2,000 litre, four-year-old wooden barrels with the help of natural yeasts. The wine spends twelve months on its lees before being transferred to vats to mature for an additional six months. It is then bottled without fining or filtration.
Magnetic North has an extremely pure nose that mixes hints of grapefruit, pear, and floral aromas. On the palate, it is beautifully balanced palate with a wonderfully long finish.