Wines
Small parcels. Specialisation
Established in 2003, our finite production is dedicated to the crafting of fine Cape wines. Our philosophy is not simply to make great wines, but to harness the flavours and complexities of both varietal and 'terroir'. Provenance and sense of place are all.
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Richard Hilton Vineyards specialises in the production of Viognier and Syrah – two Rhône varietals that are perfectly suited to the Cape Atlantic / 'Mediterranean’ climate.
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We continually evolve by introducing new wines as and when outstanding quality is discovered and unearthed.
Coronavirus Lockdown - April 2020
Richard tasting the Emperor Probus Viognier 2016
Wine & I
Richard's story
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Born and bred in England, Richard’s path in wine began in France after completing his Diplôme D’Études Française at L’Université Stendhal in Grenoble, when he was apprenticed at Louis Latour, followed by experience at Olivier Leflaive, Domaine Jacques Prieur and a Diplôme en Commercialisation des Vins et de leurs Derivés at the Lycée Viticole, in Beaune, Burgundy.
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Following a magical 6 years in France, in 1996 he moved to the Cape of South Africa where his journey continued at Longridge Winery, Darling Cellars and Dominion Wine Company, before establishing Richard Hilton Vineyards in 2003.
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“Wine is one of the most civilised things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection.
It offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”
Ernest Hemingway
Winemaking philosophy
Terroir driven. Minimal intervention
Richard Hilton Vineyards works closely with selected growers and specialist viticulturists, in the regions of Stellenbosch and Elgin. Optimal picking dates, sorting of grapes and minimal winemaking intervention are core to our ethos.
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Sulphur additions are kept to a minimum, whole bunch pressing is favoured on white grapes and 100% de-stemming on red. Lees contact and the use of older French oak barrels are the preferred regime, except for the top cuvee's that enjoy some new oak.
Current production is still very small as the focus continues to be quality driven in the pursuit of creating the finest wines to accompany fine cuisine.
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Supporting the Cape Leopard Trust
Richard Hilton Vineyards is a proud supporter of this important environmental initiative.
The Cape Leopard Trust has a number of active leopard and predator research projects in the Western Cape region. The enigmatic and rare Cape leopard is used as an icon to advocate for the protection of predators in their natural environments, as well as to raise awareness of broader biodiversity issues and promoting the need for committed conservation of ecosystems.
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