Southern Right
サザン・ライト
Hamilton Russell's sister estate — Walker Bay's Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc specialist.
About Southern Right
Southern Right is the sister estate of Hamilton Russell Vineyards, founded in 1994 by Anthony Hamilton Russell in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, part of the cool-climate Walker Bay wine district. Unlike its Pinot Noir/Chardonnay-focused sibling, Southern Right specializes exclusively in two varieties: Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc, produced from a 447-hectare property that also encompasses significant fynbos conservation land. The estate rejects the traditionally heavy, rustic style long associated with South African Pinotage, instead crafting a refined, fruit-pure, terroir-driven expression that has repeatedly earned recognition from Wine Spectator, Tim Atkin MW, and Wine Enthusiast. Its purpose-built 'Overberg-style' cellar, completed in 2009, was designed specifically for these two wines. The estate takes its name, and its conservation-minded motto 'Naturam Esse Omne' (nature is everything), from the Southern Right whales that calve in nearby Walker Bay each winter.
Who Is This For?
For drinkers who assume Pinotage can't be elegant, and for Sauvignon Blanc lovers wanting a cool-climate, mineral-driven alternative to New Zealand and Sancerre styles.
Wines of Southern Right
No cuvées registered yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Southern Right's relationship to Hamilton Russell Vineyards?
- Southern Right is a separate but related estate founded in 1994 by Anthony Hamilton Russell, the owner of neighboring Hamilton Russell Vineyards, as a dedicated home for Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc rather than Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- What makes Southern Right's Pinotage different from typical South African Pinotage?
- Grown in the cool, maritime Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and vinified without the heavy extraction and overt oak often associated with the variety, Southern Right's Pinotage is deliberately refined and fruit-pure, which has earned it scores such as 92 points from Tim Atkin MW and 91 from Wine Spectator.
- Why is the estate named Southern Right?
- The estate is named after the Southern Right whales that migrate to calve in Walker Bay, just a couple of kilometers from the property, reflecting the winery's maritime setting and its motto 'Naturam Esse Omne' (nature is everything).
- Does Southern Right wine pair well with Japanese food?
- Yes — the high-acid, mineral Sauvignon Blanc suits sushi, sashimi, and lightly seasoned seafood, while the fruit-forward, moderate-tannin Pinotage works well with grilled or teriyaki-style dishes.
- Where can I find Southern Right wines in Japan?
- Southern Right's Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage are carried by select Japanese wine retailers specializing in South African wine; availability varies by vintage, so checking current stock at specialty importers is recommended.