Alinea

ALINEA:

In 2021, Natasha Jacka founded Alinea, signifying “the beginning of a new train of thought.” A chef turned vigneron, Natasha’s paradigm shift resulted in crafting some of the most thought-provoking and intriguing wines in South Africa. Within just a few vintages, she was recognized for being a rising star in the South African wine industry, and was presented the 2024 Next Generation Award by Winemag.co.za, South Africa’s top wine publication. Today, she owns a small vineyard, which she planted vine-by-vine in the coastal region of Noordhoek. She also sources from various regions across the Western Cape – and produces a single vineyard bottling from each.

NATASHA JACKA:

When I first met Natasha, I felt like I was looking into the mirror. Although we’ve never lived on the same continent, our stories are remarkably similar. We’re both culinary school-trained chefs, who spent time cooking in fine dining restaurants. Although we both love cooking, the wine bug bit us both and we’ve never looked back. While I moved into the import side of the wine business, Natasha went into winemaking.

As Natasha’s curiosity for wine grew, it became clear that production was the path she wanted to take. She was put in touch with Riandri Visser, the famous winemaker from venerable Cape Point Vineyards, and began working there in January 2017. Natasha enjoyed harvest so much that she stayed and worked a full year. Throughout this time, she worked in every stage of the vineyard lifecycle from pruning and planting cover crops, to mulching and harvesting, and of course, bottling.

In 2018, Natasha started an oenology degree at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch. Elsenberg is one of the top winemaking universities in the entire southern hemisphere, and many of the Culture Wine Co. winemakers have graduated from there. In 2020, she graduated at the top of her class. During her final year at Elsenberg, she planted two vineyard blocks – a Syrah and white field blend – in the beautiful cool climate area on route to the Cape of Good Hope known as Noordhoek. In 2021, Natasha began Alinea, producing a Sauvignon Blanc from St Helena Bay, West Coast, and a Vermentino from Stellenbosch. In 2022, she harvested Carignan from the Breedekloof. In 2023, she harvested Grenache and Viura, both from vineyards in Paarl.

NOORDHOEK VINEYARDS:

In 2020, Natasha launched a project extremely close to her heart and planted two small vineyards in the Crofter’s Valley sub-region of Noordhoek. These tiny vineyards total less than two acres, are farmed organically, and are heavily impacted by their proximity to the frigid waters of the Atlantic and its vicious winds.

The first block, which consists of just 750 vines of Syrah, was planted stok-by-paaltjie and is located a few kilometers from the sea. This training method foregoes trellising, and head-trains the vines using poles. This is tremendously helpful in windy zones. The second block, consists of just 650 vines, is also planted stok-by-paaltjie, and is a white field blend of six different varietals—Grenache Blanc, Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, Colombar, Roussanne, and Semillon. This block is situated on the sloping Dassenberg Koppie.

2024 marked Natasha’s first harvest from these blocks. We’re so excited for what the future holds for Natasha, Alinea, and these beautiful little vineyards.