Skurfberg 2018

Together the three low-yielding Chenin Blanc parcels represent the possibilities of the area, each offering something unique to the complexity of the whole. The one site has huge and aromatic fruit concentration; the second offers an earthy character and minerality, and the third (the highest, and closest to the Atlantic) retains amazing acidity and freshness.

This wine blends Chenin Blanc from old bushvine parcels on three farms on the slopes of the Skurfberg (“rugged mountains”) between Clanwilliam and Lamberts Bay in the Olifants River Region. They are immaculately farmed properties, which have not been subjected to herbicide or chemical fertilisers by the current farmers. Most of the soils in the area are of decomposed sandstone, and very sandy. Rainfall is low – these vines have had to be tough to survive without irrigation.

Decomposed Table Mountain sandstone

The three parcels of fruit were vinified separately. They were basket-pressed and then transferred directly to old casks where natural fermentation took place. We blended them after 12 months, and then left them to age another six months before bottling them directly from the old casks.