Beaumont Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc 2018

Hope Marguerite is made in the image of its name sake "Hope Marguerite Beaumont". A complex woman who loved plants, farming and wine. The wine always aims to capture the uniqueness of its Bot River terroir. Elegance over power and freshness over richness are key cornerstones of the wine. Capturing the complexity of each vintage is our aim. Fermented and matured in oak to add complexity and polish to the wine. Our two single vineyards are harvested, fermented and matured separately. Then the wine is blended just before bottling 11 months after harvest.

Vinenyards were planted in 1974 and 1978 on Bokkeveld shale soils. Low trellis vines to compensate for the wind in the summer. West facing slope with 3300 vines per ha. Yields average 4.5 tons per ha. Wind is a major climatic factor in our region that is caused by our proximity to the ocean( 12km away). This limits growth and dries out the soils resulting in fresh but concentrated fruit.

Bokkeveld Shale - Gravel top soils and clay or rock base. Some of the oldest soils in South Africa.

Grapes are hand harvested into small crates. Pressed to tank for natural settling. Fermented using natural yeasts in barrel. Malo sometimes goes through. Fermentation is slow and steady. Wine is left on its gross lees for maturation with occasional battonage. Racked out of Barrel in early Jan of the next year and bottled early in Feb. Released when ready.

Matured for 11 months in french oak barrels on gross lees. 15% new barrels. Racked out just before the next harvest to get ready for bottling.