Van Lill & Visser Chenin Blanc

Pair with pork scallops or roast chicken.

The 2019 vintage yield was significantly up from the previous 2018 vintage, which had suffered 3 years of intense drought conditions in a row. Variable weather conditions during the flowering and fruit set period in October led to some uneven ripening, but moderate weather during the growing season resulted in good growth and denser canopies. Slightly cooler conditions leading up to harvest resulted in great fruit flavours and exceptional acids.

The wine spent 7 months on the lees before being blended and bottled in October.

The grapes were transported to the cellar in refrigerated trucks and cooled overnight. Bunches were hand-sorted and whole-bunch pressed the following day and the juice settled overnight without enzymes. Fermentation occurred in 300l French Oak barrels (24% new) and stainless steel (53%), with about 45% of the wine completing malolactic fermentation.

This is a range created in recognition of the Cape of Good Hope’s vinous heritage which stretches back more than 350 years when the first Governor of the Cape planted grapes. These unique wines are the result of irreplaceable parcels of old vines and site specific terroirs. The labels reflect the grape variety as well as the origin and singular characters behind them.