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Safriel House is a family owned wine house that is founded upon a passion for, and working experience of South African vineyards and wine making.

We would love to share our story with you, so make sure you read about how we came into being, who we are and the story behind our labels.

 

Barrel Fermented Reserve Chenin Blanc 2021 (Previous vintages: 2018, 2020)  Award Winner Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Fair Trade Integrity and Sustainability Certified

Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc Label
Our Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc is made in very limited quantities. This wine is a product of both hard work and good fortune, the former likely leading to the latter. During our extensive work and travels through the winelands, we happened to meet the wine buyer for a major South African chain. He was a very approachable person and as we were comparing notes on various farms and vineyards, he told us about a cellar that's jointly owned by a group of farmers where he buys some of his wines. One of those farms, has a certified heritage dryland bush vine Chenin Blanc vineyard that has been used in legendary wines. The volume of wine made from this vineyard would be too small for his large chain but it would be of amazing quality and he suggested that we contact them to allow us access to that fruit.

South Africa is the oldest wine producing country in the new world and the story of our vineyard reaches back to 1699 when a Mr. Dippenauw was granted an enormous farm by his employer, the Dutch East India Company who operated the Cape Colony. It is uncertain whether this was a reward for his good work or whether he was cast into the wilderness because he married dangerously to a sister of Adam Tas, diarist of the early colonial Cape and political rebel subsequently imprisoned by the Governor. What is known is that the newlywed couple was so overwhelmed by the farm’s isolation from Cape Town at that time that they named it Solitude. The farm has been in the hands of the same family since 1775.

Chenin Blanc bush vineOur ability to offer you wines from this heritage vineyard is a result of our extensive history and close partnerships with the most esteemed vineyard owners. Achieving old vine certification requires that the vines are part of a Certified Heritage Vineyard that is 35 years or older. This certification serves as a tribute to the grower's deep affection for the land. This heritage vineyard owes its existence to the unique terroir and the dedicated individuals who have cared for it over the years. We are proud to share this wine - certified for Sustainability & Integrity as well as Fair and Ethical Trade - with the world. A hidden gem, whose wine is no longer hidden. To celebrate this, we have rebranded our Chenin Blanc in our distinguished Black Label with an elegant gold wax closure, and placed the Certified Heritage Vineyards decal on the bottle.

 

The Vineyard

The grapes for this select wine originate from a single heritage vineyard planted in 1985 in the Agter-Paarl appellation, one of the premier regions for Chenin Blanc. This farm was granted in 1699 and has been in the same family since 1775.  The decomposed granite and Glenrosa soils are deep and strong in structure. The vines are allowed to grow as small bush vines with no irrigation or artificial canopy, only relying on winter rainfall. Without irrigation, dry land crops weigh less, with smaller bunches and smaller berries that need to be picked by hand giving a low yield of 7 tons per hectare. There is a rich reward for enduring these tough conditions as most of the flavour is just under the skin, so with less juice and more skin, there is a higher flavour concentration. Intensive vineyard management, including using cover crops for water retention and natural pest control (with no chemical pesticides), protects the vine and ensures the ecosystem is in balance. The vineyard and the cellar are certified for Sustainability & Integrity as well as Fair and Ethical Trade.

In the Winery

The grapes were harvested by hand one month before the equinox and delivered to the winery in crates. The grapes are destemmed and the juice kept in contact with the skins for 3 hours. Only free run juice is used and great care is taken to ensure that the juice is clear before fermentation starts so that the pure, concentrated fruitiness of the dry land grapes is infused into the wines. Fermentation takes place in smaller French oak barrels for complexity and in tank for freshness. The wine is then batonaged once a month for three months after fermentation and aged in barrel for a further 10 months.
Technical details: ALC - 14.17% Vol; PH - 3.52; RS - 4.3 g/l; TA - 6.0 g/l

Tasting Notes

The wine is made in a new world style: rich, complex, aromatic with fruit and structure. The careful winemaking techniques combined with the age-old traditions of Dry Land viticulture resulted in a Chenin Blanc that is true to its varietal and this illustrious region. Citrus, pear, peach and pineapple notes are evident in the aromatics of this wine. The palate boasts hints of citrus, litchi and vanilla, while the finish is crisp with a well-defined acidity. In the tradition of classic fine South African wines, this wine is ready to drink now and will continue to gain further complexity with aging for up to 5 years.
Pair with Brie, cheddar and aged Gouda. The wine will elevate salads, seafood, chicken or fish in a creamy, sweet & sour or chili sauces and Asian dishes.

Awards:
92 points - James Suckling
90 points - Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report

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Lynne

 

Lynne Safriel's thoughts: "This wine has structure and backbone but is not heavy. Perfect when you want a serious white wine that won't weigh you down."

 

 

 

 

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