Whalehaven is situated at the gateway to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The winery was the third producer in the region following in the pioneering footsteps of Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson. Named in homage to the Southern Right Whales that return to Hermanus each July, the winery embodies a deep respect for nature and time. The name Whalehaven echoes the philosophy of the winery to carefully nurture our wines in barrel, until the perfect time for them to be released. Dedicated to site-driven excellence, Whalehaven specialises in small-batch lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that articulate the region’s maritime influence with purity and finesse. These wines display remarkable structure, balance, and complexity—hallmarks of a terroir that continues to define South Africa’s fine wine landscape.

Whalehaven is gradually establishing itself as a noteworthy producer of Chardonnay, recognised for its elegant, award-winning wines. Led by second-generation of the Bottega Family, Silvana Bottega, the winery, situated at the entrance to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, is dedicated to capturing the essence of the region’s terroir. In 2020, Silvana refocused the winemaking approach towards lighter, fresher styles, in an effort that has already delivered promising results.

In 2023, she partnered with Master of Wine Richard Kershaw and his team to further refine this direction, aiming to craft precise, bright acidity wines that are a true reflection of the cool-climate, coastal influences that define the valley.

Whalehaven continues to evolve in its pursuit of expressing the distinctive character of this exceptional terroir.

PEDIGREE

Top 10 Chardonnay in the world at 2025 Chardonnay du Monde

 Whalehaven’s commitment to limited production of site-specific Hemel-en-Aarde wines ensures that each bottle is a rare and cherished gem.
The rarity of these wines only enhances their focus, allowing you to experience the true essence of this remarkable terroir.