Hamilton Russell Vineyards Ashbourne Sandstone Hamilton Russell

The Ashbourne Sandstone comes from the cool Walker Bay at the southern tip of South Africa – a region that is climatically more similar to Burgundy than what many associate with South African wine.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards is located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, just a few kilometers from the Atlantic. The winery is considered a pioneer of Walker Bay: since the early 1980s, it has proven that South Africa can produce first-class wines from Burgundian grape varieties. Ashbourne is the house's second label – with its own focus on local grape varieties such as Pinotage and Rhône white wines.

The Sandstone is a white wine with a fresh structure: lemon peel, grapefruit, and a hint of yuzu set the direction, plus yellow apple fruit and a subtle note of blood orange. The acidity is lively but not edgy – the wine remains balanced throughout its entire length and closes with a clean, mineral-hinted finish.

Serving temperature 10–12 °C. Goes well with:

• fried sea bass or cod with lemon butter
• light poultry in white wine sauce
• fresh goat cheese variations