Southern Right
Founded in 1994 by Anthony Hamilton Russell, Southern Right is dedicated to producing refined, age-worthy Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc, crafted with a focus on terroir, sustainability, and classical elegance.
History of Southern Right
Anthony Hamilton Russell, already at the helm of Hamilton Russell Vineyards since 1991, created Southern Right in 1994 to redefine South Africa's unique Pinotage in a more classic and internationally resonant style. His vision was to craft wines that balanced the distinctiveness of South African fruit with the refinement associated with fine European wines.
In 2005, Southern Right secured a permanent home when a 1,125-acre property was acquired on the western border of Hamilton Russell Vineyards. Just a few years later, in 2009, a modern 350-ton Overberg-style cellar was completed, designed specifically for Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc. This facility marked a significant milestone, enabling the estate to fully control production with precision and quality.
Today, Southern Right is managed by Anthony Hamilton Russell alongside winemaker Emul Ross and viticulturist Johan Montgomery, who together ensure the wines remain true to the philosophy of terroir expression. Southern Right forms part of Hamilton Russell's family of estates, which also includes Ashbourne and Hamilton Russell Vineyards.
Region and Vineyards
Southern Right is situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, one of South Africa's most acclaimed cool-climate wine regions. The name, meaning "Heaven and Earth" in Afrikaans, is a fitting description of the dramatic coastal landscape where vineyards are just a few kilometres from the South Atlantic Ocean. The cool maritime influence tempers summer heat, allowing for slow ripening and the retention of natural acidity.
The soils are equally influential, with a mix of clay-rich Bokkeveld shale, decomposed granite, and sandstone. These bring both structural depth and mineral freshness to the wines. Southern Right farms its vineyards organically and is certified sustainable under the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme. Furthermore, it has been recognised as a champion of biodiversity by the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, reflecting its commitment to ecological stewardship.
Wine Range of Southern Right
Southern Right focuses on two key wines:
- Southern Right Pinotage - A reinterpretation of South Africa's emblematic red grape. Grown on clay soils, this Pinotage is intense yet classically styled, delivering complex berry fruit, fine tannins, and subtle spice. It embodies both ripeness and freshness, setting a benchmark for modern Pinotage.
- Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc - Crafted reductively to preserve freshness and terroir expression, it marries Old World minerality and length with hints of New World fruit generosity. Fruit from clay, granite, and sandstone soils adds structure, perfume, and saline brightness, elevating it well beyond a simple varietal style.
Did you know?
The estate is named after the Southern Right whale, an endangered species that frequents the nearby Walker Bay. With every bottle sold, Southern Right contributes to whale conservation efforts, uniting fine wine with environmental protection.
