There is a tendency among wine lovers to place Pinot Noir on a pedestal. Understandably so. It's one of the world's most alluring grape varieties, capable of producing wines of haunting fragrance, silken texture and profound complexity.
Yet Pinot Noir can also be intimidating. Too often it arrives weighed down by lofty expectations, arcane tasting notes and prices that suggest a second mortgage may be required.
De Wetshof Estate's Cherrystone Hill Pinot Noir 2025 offers another path. It is a wine that speaks the language of Pinot Noir fluently, yet does so with an openness and generosity that welcomes rather than excludes. Made exclusively for Woolworths, Cherrystone Hill is one of those wines that manages to satisfy both the curious newcomer and the seasoned devotee.
“Cherrystone Hill is the second Pinot Noir in our range, complementing the Nature in Concert Pinot Noir made for the first time in 2002,” says Johann de Wet, CEO of De Wetshof. “Made exclusively for Woolworths, Cherrystone Hill is a more fruit-forward, accessible Pinot Noir, its flavours of cherry and blackberries being pronounced and offering an easy-drinking, lip-smacking red wine.”
The story begins in Robertson, a valley more readily associated with limestone-rich soils and celebrated Chardonnay than with Pinot Noir. Yet the De Wet family has never been one to accept conventional wisdom without testing it in the vineyard.
For decades, De Wetshof has pursued an intimate understanding of its land. Since the early 1970s, detailed records have been kept on every vineyard block, documenting the interaction between vine, soil, climate and season. This meticulous approach allows individual sites to be farmed according to their unique personalities rather than according to broad assumptions.
Cherrystone Hill is born from one of those personalities.
“The vineyards lie on steep, south-facing slopes where the soils are dominated by slate rock. In fact, as much as 80% of the soil profile consists of slate stones,” says De Wet. “It is a challenging environment for vines. Water retention is low and the roots are forced to work hard in search of sustenance. But Pinot Noir has always responded best to a degree of hardship. Give it fertile abundance and it can become flabby. Place it under gentle stress and it discovers character.”
The slate soils also have a cooling effect, an important factor for a variety as temperamental as Pinot Noir. Robertson's climate contributes further to this balance. Days are sunny and bright, but summer evenings are refreshingly cool. Morning mists often linger over the vineyards while cooling breezes drift inland from the Cape Agulhas coast. The result is a slow, measured ripening season in which flavour, acidity and tannin develop in harmony.
These conditions are reflected in the wine's personality.
The first impression is one of pure fruit. Ripe cherries lead the way, followed by crunchy red berries that seem freshly picked from a summer hedgerow. There is an immediacy to the aromas that makes the wine instantly appealing. Yet beneath the fruit lies another layer: subtle notes of roasted nuts and a gentle savoury complexity that adds depth without overwhelming the wine's freshness.
In the cellar, the winemaking team treats the grapes with the sensitivity Pinot Noir demands. Harvesting takes place in the cool hours of the morning to preserve fruit purity. The grapes undergo cold soaking before fermentation, encouraging colour and flavour extraction without harshness. Maturation then follows in carefully selected French oak barrels, where the wine spends between twelve and fifteen months developing texture and complexity.
“The oak influence is measured and nuanced,” says De Wet. “Rather than dominating, it acts as a frame around the fruit, allowing Pinot Noir's natural elegance to remain centre stage.”
And elegance is indeed the defining characteristic here.
There is an old description of Pinot Noir as being "an iron fist in a velvet glove". Cherrystone Hill captures that paradox beautifully. The palate is smooth and supple, almost luxurious in texture, yet there is enough structure and grip to remind one that serious wine is being made. The tannins are polished and refined, carrying the wine towards a long, satisfying finish.
Perhaps the greatest achievement of Cherrystone Hill Pinot Noir is that it makes sophistication look effortless.
This is not a wine that demands contemplation before enjoyment. It can be poured at a dinner party and immediately charm guests. Slightly chilled, it is magnificent with crayfish, lobster and rich seafood dishes. Equally, it slips comfortably alongside grilled steak, mushroom dishes or anything touched by the earthy magic of truffles.
In a world where Pinot Noir often seeks to impress, Cherrystone Hill seeks to please. That distinction may sound subtle, but it is of utmost importance in a world where flavour is king.