Restless River wines

Restless River

'Developing a cult following...' – Winemag

Restless River is one of the rising stars on the South African fine wine scene. Craig and Anne Wessels have quietly gained a cult following for their brilliant, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. With every new release, their single-vineyard Hemel-en-Aarde wines impress us more.

The 2019 Ava Marie Chardonnay is exceptional, offering the Chassagne-like minerality and chiselled structure that have become its trademark. Like always, the oak is beautifully managed, and the finish is persistent and detailed. It has just earned another 5-star award in the 2022 Platter's Guide.

We believe that the 2018 Main Road & Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon to be the most exciting Cabernet outside of Stellenbosch. With more texture and fruit weight than the previous vintages, the 2018 has the same poised, leafy-style DNA as the excellent 2017 vintage. The impressively fine, silky tannins knit a fine line between brooding, ripe fruit and herbaceous freshness, all set against the backdrop of its serious structure. This is set to age beautifully over the next decade.

The 2020 Wanderlust Pinot Noir sits within the realm of the experimental. A unique wine from two different Pinot vineyards, it is wonderfully light and ethereal in character. The tannins are elegant and refined, making this a delicious wine to enjoy over the next 2 – 6 years. The Wanderlust label offers Craig the opportunity to explore different varieties and techniques as small-batch, one-off productions.

Wine Cellar Restless River visit – November 2021

Some pictures from James's visit to Restless River farm in November 2021.


View all wines

Payment methods
Copyright © 2024 - Wine Cellar