The Divas Chenin Blanc

Serve with a mild butter chicken curry

The Divas Chenin Blanc is selected from a special parcel of low-yielding vines planted in 1972 on DeMorgenzon. The vines are planted in decomposed granite soils, at altitudes of 250 to 300 meters above sea level. Close proximity to False Bay ensures cooling breezes in the warm summer months. The Divas is selected from the most balanced vines of this grand old vineyard. In 2018 a massal selection of genetic material from The Divas vines was collected and sent away for multiplication. The progeny of these grand old dames will be planted in DeMorgenzon’s future plantings of Chenin Blanc, to secure a unique provenance for DeMorgenzon Chenin Blanc. On the back of a cold and wet winter, the 2020 growing season began very early, with homogenous budburst and even shoot growth. Summer was relatively mild, without the heatwaves often experienced in the Cape. The resultant crop retained high levels of natural acidity and abundant concentration of flavour. Particularly exceptional are the white wines of 2020, whilst the reds display early promise thanks to intense colour and tannin concentration.

The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 10,5 months, without batonage, followed by a further ageing in concrete egg for 6 months, before being bottled without filtration.

The grapes were picked in two different passes from a particular part of the old vineyard. The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours, with bunch selection done in the vineyard, and a final selection in the winery. Fruit was cooled down and then gently pressed, whole bunch, and the juice was settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes. Fermentation occurred naturally in French oak barrels (40% new), using indigenous yeasts, with no malolactic fermenation.

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.