2025 Spier Chenin Blanc Signature

Chenin Blanc is one of South Africa's most beloved grapes, planted here since time immemorial. Over the years, recognition for this grape's quality has also grown in South Africa. One of its most important qualities is its ability to withstand the Cape's warm climate, consistently retaining its acidity and character. It can produce light-bodied wines, but also wines with a very powerful character. The grapes for this wine are sourced from both bush vineyards and modern vineyards with Chenin vines strung on wire. Only the finest vineyard blocks are used for the Signature. This Signature Chenin Blanc is made with a wonderfully fresh and stylish finish, with an elegant flavor and vibrant fruit. Upon arrival, the grapes are briefly left on the skins to enhance their flavor. The wine is fermented and matured in tank to preserve all the fruit. Moreover, Chenin Blanc has plenty of character on its own. It matures for another three months on the yeast cells, which gives it an extra rich and robust character. The result is a delicious, smooth, and refreshing Chenin Blanc.

In the glass, the Signature Chenin Blanc has a bright straw yellow color with a hint of green. The Signature Chenin Blanc is crafted in a delightfully fresh style, with beautiful notes of elderflower and ripe pear, passion fruit, spring-like, and fragrant on the nose. On the palate, this Chenin Blanc is aromatic and dry with the ripe apple characteristic of Chenin and a delightful vibrancy. An elegant, dry white wine. Delicious as an aperitif, paired with spicy crab cakes, fried plaice, pasta dishes, or a delicious green chicken salad.

The roots of the Spier estate go back to the early years of the Cape colony, in 1692. That year, the original farm in Stellenbosch was founded by the German colonist Arnout Janz. He was also the one who realized that the soil was exceptionally suitable for viticulture and planted the first vines. The first grapes were pressed, and the old cellar, built in 1767, is one of the oldest wine buildings in the Cape. It remains the proud property of the estate. Today, Spier is one of South Africa's most innovative wineries, with a cellar that has been modernized and expanded in recent years to realize its ambitious goals. The expansion of the vineyard area, now under the full control of a large team of experienced and talented winemakers, led by Chief Winemaker, Frans Smit, should be seen in the same light.

According to Spier's winemakers, winemaking is an art. The grapes for the Classic Range are grown in specially selected vineyards, picked at peak ripeness, and vinified to preserve all the wines' characteristics. Light oak aging creates an elegant backdrop to the fruity notes. The grapes for the Private Collection wines are hand-selected from old, single-variety vineyards. After vinification, the wines are aged in French oak barrels. Only then does the final selection of the wines take place, as only the finest wines are allowed to carry the "Private Collection" label. This is evidenced by the numerous awards Spier has won for these wines.

The wines from the Spier Estate in Stellenbosch are produced organically, which means that no artificial fertilizers, chemical pesticides or herbicides are used.