The R320 turns north at the western end of Hermanus and runs into a valley that divides into three: the lower Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, the upper valley and the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. All three are cool, because the wind comes in off the sea, and that is exactly why things grow here that otherwise only grow in Burgundy. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the valley's grapes, with Sauvignon Blanc and a little Syrah alongside. A good twenty estates line the road, most of them tasting without an appointment.
- from Hermanus on the R320
- 15 minutes
- wine estates
- 20+
- the grape of the valley
- Pinot Noir
- Creation, daily (as of August 2026)
- 10:00 to 17:00
Hamilton Russell put the valley on the wine map in the 1970s and Bouchard Finlayson followed; Creation is the younger house, with a restaurant and a view across the vines, open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (as of August 2026). Bouchard Finlayson is closed for rebuilding in 2026 and pours at a pop-up in the Harbour Square Hotel in Hermanus (as of August 2026). If you want to buy the wine, the estates and the bottles are listed on our German-language sister site about Stellenbosch, which covers the wines of the Western Cape.
- Time needed
- half a day
- Cost
- tasting fee per estate, usually waived on purchase
- When
- all year, harvest February to March
- From Hermanus
- 10 km, 15 minutes
Our tipDrive up in the morning while the mist is still lying in the hollows, and bring someone for the way back who has not been tasting. The R320 has no lighting and plenty of bends.
Hemel-en-Aarde valley: common questions
Which wines come from the Hemel-en-Aarde valley?
Mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with Sauvignon Blanc and a little Syrah. The valley is cool and the wind comes off the sea. A good twenty estates line the R320, most of them tasting without an appointment.
How far is the Hemel-en-Aarde valley from Hermanus?
About ten kilometres, a quarter of an hour on the R320 from the western end of Hermanus. Bring someone for the way back who has not been tasting: the road has no lighting and plenty of bends.
Where can you buy wines from the valley?
The estates and the bottles are listed on our sister site about Stellenbosch, stellenbosch.net, which covers the wines of the Western Cape. It is in German.