Restless River
Craig Wessels, the founder of Restless River, has built a reputation for crafting some of South Africa’s most celebrated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. A self-taught winemaker, Craig’s path to winemaking began in an unexpected way—moving from Cape Town to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a region known for its cool climate and world-class vineyards, with his wife, Anne, and their family. They purchased a small farm in 2004, one that had been part of Craig’s ancestral land dating back to 1760. The farm was already planted with a few hectares of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but it was the farm’s terroir and location that truly convinced the couple to take the plunge into winemaking.
What followed was an extraordinary journey—one marked by both perseverance and passion. Craig had no formal winemaking education and started producing wine for personal consumption, learning the craft through trial and error. The early years were tough, with Craig balancing his creative work in TV production and commercial directing with his new life as a farmer and winemaker. But his determination paid off, and by 2012, Restless River’s wines were officially released to the public. The wines were immediately well-received and garnered a loyal following, earning Craig a reputation for his commitment to quality and meticulous attention to detail.
Restless River, situated in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, produces wines from 21 hectares of vines, focusing on organic farming principles. The farm benefits from the cool maritime climate and soils rich in granite and shale, ideal for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The area’s higher altitude, with vineyards sitting around 1,000 feet, ensures a long ripening season. This extended growing period allows the grapes—particularly the Chardonnay—to develop their full aromatic potential and complex flavors. The soil composition of granite and shale, combined with a maritime influence, provides the perfect foundation for producing wines that are a true expression of their environment.
Chardonnay at Restless River has become the cornerstone of Craig’s winemaking efforts. His approach to crafting this wine is defined by minimal intervention and a focus on preserving the purity of the fruit. Craig steered away from the heavily oaked, bold styles that dominated the industry in his early years, preferring instead to allow the natural character of the grape and its terroir to shine through. His Chardonnays are marked by their elegance, balance, and nuanced complexity, often showing subtle floral notes, crisp acidity, and a restrained use of oak, which allows the freshness of the fruit to remain front and center.
Craig’s choice to avoid sulfites was also a pioneering move at the time. His personal sensitivity to sulfur and his skepticism of conventional winemaking practices led him to experiment with low-sulfite wines, an approach that was considered risky by many of his peers. Despite this, Craig’s wines gained recognition, and eventually, other winemakers began to follow his example. His unconventional methods and dedication to the craft have earned Restless River a place among the premier wineries in South Africa.
Craig Wessels continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, earning respect not only for his wines but also for his innovative approach to winemaking. His journey from a TV producer to a self-taught winemaker is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to turn a passion for wine into a thriving family-owned winery. Today, Restless River stands as a beacon of quality, particularly for its exceptional Chardonnays that capture the unique essence of the valley.
