Whalehaven Wines, located at the entrance to the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, is a boutique winery known for its focus on crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Established in 1995, it was the valley’s third wine producer, after Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson, helping to shape the area’s growing viticultural reputation. The winery is named in tribute to the whales that frequent the nearby Walker Bay coastline, a reminder of the natural beauty surrounding it.

In the late 1990s, Alberto Bottega, founder of Bottega Family Wines, made his first investment in Whalehaven, eventually taking full ownership shortly thereafter. Under his guidance, the winery has continued to produce a broad diversity of award-winning wines. In 2020 his daughter, Silvana Bottega, became more actively involved in the direction of the wines and in 2023 brought onboard Richard Kershaw to take the Terroir & Reserve Series to the nexy level that are now handcrafted with an emphasis on the purity, structure, and complexity that the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is known for. Whalehaven Wines is committed to creating terroir-driven wines that offer a true sense of place, making them a quietly respected choice.

Whalehaven Winery has been dedicated to celebrating its coastal location and, since 2012, has placed increased emphasis on crafting wines that originate from the Hemel-en-Aarde valley terroir. The majority of grapes are sourced from the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley or the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, which is a designated Ward and Wine of Origin appellation located in the Walker Bay region of the Western Cape in South Africa. These appellations within the broader Hemel-en-Aarde zone, are collectively renowned for producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in a Burgundian style, although various other grape varieties are also cultivated.