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By Hamish Graham
Published: 21 September, 2026
Specialist wine importer Thorman Hunt has introduced Hasher Family Wines to its portfolio. The addition represents the first South African producer in the distributor’s wine offer.
The 180 ha estate is based in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, an appellation in the Walker Bay district of the Western Cape wine region. The grower makes wine from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
It has been owned by Belgian couple Frederik Herten and Céline Haspeslagh (pictured above, with family) since 2021 with the winemaking operation led by Natasha Williams since 2023.
Williams is a well-regarded young winemaker in South Africa whose work with Bosman Family Vineyards, as well as roles in France and California, have established her strong reputation.
According to Thorman Hunt her winemaking ethos is “rooted in respect for nature”, “traditional method” and expressing terroir, adding that “French oak is used across the range, but treated as a vessel rather than a dominant force with no overextraction or bâtonnage”.
Coastal influence
Lying just 5km from the Atlantic coast the estate benefits from a Mediterranean climate, with the cooling influence of the ocean and the Benguela Current.
The climate shapes the wines Williams produces. For example, “the Sauvignon Blanc shows the ripeness of the African climate”, Thorman Hunt noted, “but with a line of acidity more often found in the Loire, a halfway house between the Old World and the New, stylistically.”
The estate practices regenerative viticulture, uses organic fertilisers, while 60 ha of the estate is dedicated to nature conservation – corridors of native fynbos shrubland allow indigenous flora and fauna to explore Hasher Family Wines lands.
This commitment has seen it gain WWF Conservation Champion accreditation which acknowledges the work it has done to protect 14 species of conservation concern.
Simon Thorpe MW, MD at Thorman Hunt, said: “The passion for South African wine runs through the Thorman Hunt team, and we have been waiting for the right opportunity to begin our journey there; what Frederik, Céline and Natasha are creating at Hasher is truly exciting, so finally our wait is over.”
Co-owner Haspeslagh is grateful for the “alignment in vision and values” between the producer and the importer.
She continued: “Thorman Hunt is a family business, and that always resonates with us; it means thinking in generations, not in next quarter’s results. They also share our belief in wines with a true sense of place, which speaks directly to how we farm and how we make wine.”
The wines are due to arrive on British shores in late Autumn. They will be available to sample earlier, however, at Thorman Hunt’s duo of Autumn Portfolio Tastings today in London (Monday 21 September) and next week in Manchester (Tuesday 29 September).
In-text image – Atlantic Ocean view from the estate’s cellar
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