Thirst Clairette

Delicious on its own or with chicken, fish, white meats and salads.

Founded in 1998 by Alex Dale, Radford Dale set about the Cape in search of exciting vineyard parcels for their chosen specialist varietals. Today, they have two producing wineries. The first is located in Stellenbosch, predominantly focused on sourcing maritime influenced parcels around the Helderberg and Polkadraai. Here, they produce the cult, single vineyard wines of Renaissance Chenin Blanc and Frankenstein Pinotage, and the Radford Dale Vinum range; a set of six wines that consistently overdeliver on style to price. The 2022 vintage marked the maiden release from their own vineyards purchased in Elgin under Radford Dale Organic, with the release of four single varietal Estate wines, the only organic certified vineyards in the region. More recently, they have co-founded South Africa’s first Organic Wine Association. They continue to reintroduce Gamay Noir to the Cape, establishing the first new plantings for some 20 years. It’s a varietal geared up to thrive in warm conditions, and on granite soils. Stylistically, Gamay also embodies Radford Dale’s championing of elegant, refreshing red wines.

The single, old vineyard that produces the grapes for this distinctive wine grows in the crunchy, decomposed granite soil of the Polkadraai area in Stellenbosch. Although the actual age of the vines is unknown, one look at their gnarled structure will confirm their veteran status. The sprawling growth pattern is supported by only one foliage wire and so the bunches ripen in relatively shady conditions. This enhances the fresh citrus expression of the wine while retaining a bracing acidity.

The single, old vineyard that produces the grapes for this distinctive wine grows in the crunchy, decomposed granite soil of the Polkadraai area in Stellenbosch. Although the actual age of the vines is unknown, one look at their gnarled structure will confirm their veteran status. The sprawling growth pattern is supported by only one foliage wire and so the bunches ripen in relatively shady conditions. This enhances the fresh citrus expression of the wine while retaining a bracing acidity.