The Dryland Collection Courageous Barrel Fermented Chenin blanc

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The grapes were de-stemmed, whereafter skin contact followed for two hours. Great care was taken to ensure clear, free-run juice is extracted before fermentation, as it infuses the pure, concentrated fruitiness of the dry land grapes into the wine.

The 2023 vintage was one of the most interesting vintages of all time. The growing season started early and we experienced a very dry Spring with low rainfall during this period. We received good rainfall in early December which was needed at that stage. The growing season was cool with good growth in the vineyards. We started the harvest 10 days earlier than in 2022 and had very good weather conditions in the first half of the harvest with no extreme heat days. Harvested by hand, the grapes used for this exceptional wine are from a certified old vine, 38 years of age, situated in the Paarl area. The soil consists mainly of decomposed granite, ensuring the wine's natural acidity and aging potential. This vineyard block has no irrigation as it primarily relies on winter rainfall. Harvesting took place on a cool, early morning in mid-February between 23° and 24° Balling.

Made in a rich and ripe wooded style, this Chenin Blanc was fermented and matured in 500-litre French oak barrels, of which 80% of older barrels are two to six years old, and the remaining 20% are new French oak barrels. The wine spent ten months in the barrels and was aged a further six months in the bottle. The wine was kept on the lees until bottling, with no lees stirring. No malolactic fermentation took place to keep the natural Chenin Blanc acidity.