Chenin is an extremely versatile grape, able to make excellent wines in many different styles, from late harvest and dessert wine to classic dry Chenin and even sparkling wine. This example is a wonderfully lively, intense, fruity and beautifully balanced dry Chenin Blanc. Aromas of green apples and white peach invite the juicy, yet taut palate. A depth of fruit is what sets this wine apart. It shows great persistence of flavor and freshness that linger on the palate long after the wine has gone. Very individual, the character of this wine makes it a perfect companion to warm summer days and long balmy evenings.

Separate parcels were picked by hand at different levels of ripeness in order to ensure there was a good complexity and balance of acidity, fruit and minerality. Each parcel contributes something different to the whole and this gives us a range of options when considering the blend. Cool fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with natural yeast (favoring fruit enhancement). The juice was kept on lees for 4 months, with occasional batonnage to enhance palate weight and texture of the wine. The components were blended prior to bottling, whilst still on the lees, to allow total integration of the final wine before preparing for bottling. Minimal fining prior to filtration was maintained throughout. The focus here is on flavor retention and fruit definition, while maintaining the lovely refreshing character for which this wine has become known.

A wonderfully lively, intense, fruity and beautifully balanced dry Chenin Blanc. Aromas of green apples and white peach invite the juicy, yet taut palate. A depth of fruit is what sets this wine apart. It shows great persistence of flavor and freshness that linger on the palate long after the wine has gone. Very individual, the character of this wine makes it a perfect companion with a wide range of culinary dishes.

The Winery of Good Hope is more than just a winery. It’s an approach. An alternative way of thinking, being and doing. Yes, you will find it in the prestigious wine-making region of Stellenbosch, in South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. But they aren’t like other wine producers. Why? Because they’re not into all the flashy stuff that’s often associated with the wine industry. They want to make quality wine with a conscience. At their cellar on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, they make great wines using traditional, natural viticultural and winemaking methods. Their also fully accredited for environmental, ethical, and social-upliftment practices. That’s why they called themselves The Winery of Good Hope.

These Chenin Blanc bush vines are situated on the gravelly slopes and extensively decomposed granite soils of the Helderberg where they benefit from the cooling maritime breezes of False Bay. The 2019 harvest season wasn’t as challenging as 2018, due to increased rainfall and minimal frost damage during the winter preceding harvest.