Great Heart Wines

Great Heart Wines is a South African producer founded in 2021. The venture emerged as a collaborative ownership initiative among workers at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines in the Western Cape, reflecting a commitment to staff empowerment. Under the mentorship of Chris and Andrea Mullineux, head winemaker Gynore Hendricks and her team employ organic vineyard management paired with restrained winery techniques, focusing on single-site wines with natural fruit intensity. The producer's name references the Wagtail bird from South African folklore—a symbol of bravery and selflessness—reflecting the collaborative vision at its heart.

About Great Heart Wines

Great Heart's philosophy centres on terroir-driven, single-vineyard expression. Each wine is sourced from a specific site chosen for its soil composition, aspect, and climate influence. The Stellenbosch Chardonnay comes from cool, south-facing slopes in the Polkadraai Hills, where decomposed granite soils and maritime influence from False Bay deliver vibrant texture and purity. The wine ferments and ages in 500-litre French oak barrels, building layered complexity. The Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon originates from the lower slopes of Helderberg Mountain, one of Stellenbosch's coolest viticultural zones, producing concentrated, perfumed wines with graphite and blackcurrant character. The Franschhoek Cabernet Franc is cultivated in rich, loamy soil conditions across the eastern slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains, yielding fragrant, bright wines displaying mint leaf character alongside blackcurrant and fynbos aromatics, supported by fine-grained tannins. By overseeing every aspect of production—from vineyard management through to bottling—Great Heart maintains quality consistency and precise articulation of each location's distinctive character. This hands-on approach means all choices, including organic cultivation and winery restraint, remain dedicated to authentic wine expression.

Great Heart Wines Wines in Our Collection

The 2023 Stellenbosch Chardonnay (91 points, James Suckling 92, Tim Atkin 91) showcases buttery, complex character with the vibrant purity that south-facing Polkadraai granite delivers. Pair this with roasted chicken, butter-based sauces, or shellfish dishes where its texture and fruit intensity shine. The 2020 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon (92 points, Tim Atkin) is bold and structured, with concentrated dark fruit and graphite notes that reward bottle age or pairing with substantial meat dishes. For a lighter, more aromatic red alternative, the Franschhoek Cabernet Franc offers fragrant brightness with blackcurrant and fynbos notes, ideal for those seeking elegance over extraction. These three single-vineyard expressions represent the producer's core range and demonstrate how terroir, organic practice, and winemaking restraint combine to deliver distinctly South African character without manipulation.

Food Pairing

Great Heart's Chardonnay suits creamy pasta, roasted fish, and poultry with rich sauces. The Cabernet Sauvignon pairs excellently with grilled beef, lamb stews, and aged cheeses. The Cabernet Franc's mint and fynbos notes complement herb-crusted meats, duck, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes with thyme or rosemary. All three wines work well with Cape-influenced cuisine featuring fresh herbs and local produce.

What makes Great Heart Wines different from other South African producers?

Great Heart is a worker-owned winery founded in 2021, using sustainable practices and minimal intervention winemaking focused on single-site, natural fruit intensity. Each wine comes from a specific vineyard chosen for terroir expression.

Which wines should I try from Great Heart?

Start with the 2023 Stellenbosch Chardonnay (91pts) for buttery complexity, or the 2020 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon (92pts) for bold structure. The Franschhoek Cabernet Franc offers fragrant, bright alternative.

Where are Great Heart Wines vineyards located?

Vineyards are in Stellenbosch (Polkadraai Hills and Helderberg Mountain) and Franschhoek (eastern slopes of Franschhoek Mountains), all in South Africa's Western Cape region.

Who makes Great Heart Wines?

Great Heart Wines is a South African producer founded in 2021 by workers at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines in the Western Cape, mentored by Chris and Andrea Mullineux. Head winemaker Gynore Hendricks leads the team.

What style of wine does Great Heart make?

Great Heart makes organic, single-vineyard wines from South Africa. They produce Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc using restrained winemaking to emphasize natural fruit intensity and terroir expression. The 2023 Chardonnay scores 91 points.

How much does Great Heart wine cost?

Great Heart wines range between £21.15 and £25.50. The Franschhoek Cabernet Franc is most affordable at £21.15, while the Stellenbosch reds and Chardonnay sit around £25 each.