THE wine world has been abuzz with rumours of a new wine estate investment opportunity that has lowered the barrier to entry for those who have always dreamed of owning a wine farm and making wine. Multiple-award-winning winemakers, the Newton Johnson family, have confirmed their co-founding of Hemelzicht Vineyards in the world-renowned Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. In a first for South Africa, this opportunity allows the public to own shares in a luxury wine business with a unique unitised investment model.
The Hemelzicht Vineyards investment model allows for ownership starting at R1 million, and the opportunity to craft wines under the guidance of an experienced, professional management and winemaking team. This investment offers potential capital growth, no servicing costs, as well as liquidity. Dividends are paid out to owners in top-quality wine, luxury accommodation among the vines on the estate, and in annual cash dividends.
Director of WineCellar.co.za and co-founder & CEO of Hemelzicht Vineyards, Roland Peens brings almost two decades of fine wine business experience to this venture. “Hemelzicht Vineyards presents a rare opportunity to buy into a wine business in the heart of the Hemel-en-Aarde, amongst top Pinot Noir producers such as Newton Johnson, Hamilton Russell, Storm and Crystallum,” says Peens. “No other wine category sells out as fast as Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir. There is low supply globally, and this farm is in a prime position to produce world-class wine. With 50% of the shares already spoken for, we are also assured of the demand for this type of unitised investment.”
The spectacular 60-hectare Hemelzicht Vineyards estate, headed up by winemaking team Nadia and Gordon Newton Johnson, is set to produce 110 000 bottles annually. The prime terroir will be organically and sustainably farmed to produce a majority of pinot noir and chardonnay.
As an owner, the investor becomes part of an exclusive winemaking family with benefits such as producing bespoke premium wines, taking part in members-only events and lifestyle experiences on and around the estate. Key benefits to the investor, alongside cash dividends and capital growth, are annual dividends growing to over 220 bottles of premium wine per share, as well as 15 nights’ accommodation in luxury three-bedroom villas set among the vines and fynbos. There is no lock-in period to the investment, and the unique structure provides increased market reach, with the broad network of owners from around the world.
For more information, click here.
