Chenin Blanc Cap Classique

Southeast Asian cuisine or pork chops with apples.

DeMorgenzon is renowned for producing world class Chenin Blanc. Cool ripening conditions and deep granite-based soils result in crisp and textured wines. Vineyards destined for MCC are managed specifically to provide good sun exposure to grapes that are being picked earlier than usual. A mild but wet winter ensured optimal soil conditions moving into the growing season. A relatively cool spring, interspersed with some rain, led to a delayed bud break and in some isolated instances uneven flowering. Some warm weather in January helped alleviate any early season unevenness and the continued moderate weather the farm experienced meant that the harvest was progressing at an even pace and that the winery team was able to give the utmost attention to each parcel arriving at the winery.

This traditional method Chenin Blanc undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and spends 14 months on ferment lees in bottle before disgorging.

Chenin Blanc grape clusters, from a single vineyard designate block, are handpicked in the early hours of the morning and transported to the cellar where whole bunch pressing occurs. The cuvee is then naturally fermented under cool temperatures in tank for a period of two months. This base wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and experiences a further 4 months maturation in tank.

A hidden garden vineyard deep in the Stellenbosch Kloof, with sweeping views across False Bay to Cape Town, lies DeMorgenzon - a name derived from Dutch origin for “the morning sun.” From its hilltop manor, this prestigious and graceful family estate is home to Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum. Classical music drifts through the garden vineyards. The earth has music for those who listen. Viticulturally, DeMorgenzon has predominantly south-facing slopes create a cooler microclimate in an otherwise warm region. This allows for the production of finely poised, ethereal Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, as well as sophisticated, highly aromatic Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. In keeping with their vinous philosophy, the estate is farmed regeneratively, fostering biodiversity and soil vitality to create a balanced, living ecosystem in the vineyards.