Chenin Blanc

This wine's versatility allows it to shine across a range of seafood dishes, like grilled fish with a light butter or lemon sauce, shellfish or sushi. Poultry like roast chicken, turkey or duck with a citrus glaze will also make an excellent pairing. The sweetness of a honey-glazed ham will match the wine’s fruity elements. It will elevate Asian cuisine like Thai green curry and sweet-and-sour pork. For dessert, and almond or pear tart will echo the wine’s characteristics.

Like fine wine, a story is sometimes simply too good not to share. Surrounded with historical gravitas and adventure, one such story is the Nieuwe Haarlem. De Nieuwe Haarlem carries a legacy of perseverance, adventure, and bravery. As a member of the VOC’s (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) fleet it traversed the oceans between continents during a period when the VOC was the world’s first most powerful multinational corporation. The VOC transported high-ranking company officials to distant colonies from its headquarters in Amsterdam. The establishment of a halfway station by Jan Van Riebeeck on 6 April 1652, was the result of the heroic crew’s survival and exploration of the area after the ship floundered in severe weather and ran aground near Table Bay in 1647. During this time, the sailors grew vegetables, planted the Cape’s first vines, and bartered fresh meat with the locals – slowly paving the first stone for what would be the path of establishing the Cape as the halfway refreshment station along the Spice Route. This event led to the establishment of South Africa and the planting of the first vines in the Cape. This wine collection, which has received numerous awards, was developed as a tribute to two of South Africa’s most prominent cultivars: Pinotage and Chenin Blanc.

Grapes were sourced from vineyards in Darling where the extreme difference in day and night temperature create the perfect environment for dryland grape growing. This area boasts with some of the oldest vineyards in the country. Grapes are planted in decomposed granite soils and are drip irrigated, these vineyards deliver great expressions of this variety.

Grapes were hand harvested very early in the morning, between mid-to end February, allowing the grapes to retain natural flavour. Basic winemaking focussed on the expression and complexity fo the old vines, the terroir and the vintage. Only free run juice was used, fermented in 50% stainless steel and 50% in older French oak barrels for 6 months prior blending and bottling.