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Singapore's first festival dedicated to celebrating wines made from old vines.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Grape Varieties:
100% Chenin Blanc
Wine Description:
Four generations of Steytlers have been custodians of this special site for almost eight decades. Today, it is one of the oldest Chenin Blanc vineyards in the country. Itās deeply connected to our history and our home, making it impossible to mimic. The wine exemplifies the tension between generosity and restraint found in Bottelary Chenin Blanc. Originally 6ha in size, only 1.1ha of the very low yielding vineyard remains.
Wine Making Method and Maturation:
Handpicked, 50% whole-bunch pressed, 50% crushed and de-stemmed (with skin-contact in press).
Natural sedimentation overnight after pressing (light and gentle pressing with maximum pressure of 0.8kpa).
After settling, the wine is racked to 500l barrels for spontaneous fermentation. Fermentation can last between 2ā4 weeks. The wine is aged in barrel for 10 months prior to bottling and bottled unfiltered and unfined.
Wine Tasting Notes:
On colour
Kaapzicht The Steytler Range āThe 1947ā Chenin Blanc is a medium lemon-gold in the glass, with a touch of depth that hints at old-vine concentration and time in oak. The wine appears bright and viscous, suggesting both ripeness and a richly textured style rather than something lean or neutral.
On the nose
On the nose it is pronounced and complex, with wet straw, dusty white citrus and honeyed yellow peach layered over ripe pineapple and hints of fynbos. Spicy top notes mingle with nuances of tangerine peel, naartjie and lychee, giving an exotic, almost confit-like character while still feeling lifted and well-defined.
On the palate
On the palate the wine is dry to off-dry, full-bodied and generously textured, showing concentrated flavours of peach, apricot, pineapple and sweet citrus peel. A plump, glycerol mouthfeel is balanced by well-judged acidity and subtle oak spice, carrying those tangerine, naartjie and lychee notes into a long, opulent yet focused finish.
On the whole
A richlyĀ texturedĀ old-vine Chenin, combining honeyed stone and tropical fruit with spice, fynbos lift and a long, opulent but finely balanced finish.
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Testimonials
Fall in love with every sip. Try one today.
Explore our collection of spectacular Reds
This collection has been carefully curated to represent the best expressions of South Africa from our wine makers.
South African wines can be outstanding.
In fact, critics are calling this period the "Golden Age" for South African wines! If you are new to South African wines, let us introduce you to them with some history and notes about the grape varietals found there.
The History of South African Wines
Of course, this is meant to be a "all you must know" summary about the history of South African wines, because as you can imagine, history is never so simple. But if you're new and just looking for a snapshot of the highlights, then here's it;
1655: THE FIRST VINE PLANTINGS
South Africa has been making wines for a long time - The Longest time, in fact, in modern history and when compared to all the "New World" wine countries. The first record of wine production in South Africa was in 1655 during the time when the East India company set up a colonial base in South Africa. Then, Jan van Riebeeck, the first Commander of the Cape colony, brought along a vine with him and made a vineyard with that planting.
1695: THE FIRST WINES
4 years after planting the first vines, the farmers harvested the grapes and made wine. However, the Dutch didn't know much about wines nor of wine making, and the local farmers weren't particularly skilled at farming the grapes, nor making the wines, so the quality of the wines then weren't impressive. This all changed when the French Huguenots, Protestants fleeing religious prosecution in Franch fled to South Africa and brought along their wine culture and knowledge. In the year 1679, Van Riebeeck was succeeded by Simon van der Stel, who was not only enthusiastic but very knowledgeable about viticulture and winemaking.
STELLENBOSCH TODAY
Van der Stel was so successful with his vineyard and as the first Governor of the Cape that his wines became world famous and the cape, as well as it's surrounding mountains were named after him. That's how we have Stellenbosch today, a region that remains well known for its wines, and the Simonberg mountains that form part of the incredible fauna and flora of South Africa today.
From the blog
Every month, we try to publish content that helps you understand wines and South African wines better. Here's our latest blog articles, check them out.
Paarl: The Quiet Powerhouse of the Cape Winelands
The Paarl wine region sits quietly between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, yet its warm climate, granite slopes, and cool evenings shape...
Survivor Wines: Four Rebellious South African Bottles to Know
Survivor is what happens when winemaker Pierre Wahl stops following the usual map and starts hunting for character in South...
Experience Regional Terroir at Pinotage Festival: 3 New Producers to Know
The Pinotage Festival returns this month, showcasing South Africaās unrivalled terroir diversity through themed tasting zones. In āRegional Expressionsā, festival-goers...
Survivor Wines: Four Rebellious South African Bottles to Know
Survivor is what happens when winemaker Pierre Wahl stops following the usual map and starts hunting for character in South Africaās wildest vineyards, from Swartlandās decomposedāgranite bush vines to the cool coastal sites that feed his Cellarmaster blends. In our fourābottle lineupāChenin Blanc Reserve, Pinotage Reserve, Cellarmaster Series Reunion and Cellarmaster Series Cabernet FrancāMerlotāeach wine captures a different facet of his rebellious philosophy, delivering textured whites, plush Swartland reds and elegant, cellarāworthy blends that feel tailorāmade for Singaporeās bold cuisine and warm evenings.
Experience Regional Terroir at Pinotage Festival: 3 New Producers to Know
The Pinotage Festival returns this month, showcasing South Africaās unrivalled terroir diversity through themed tasting zones. In āRegional Expressionsā, festival-goers will discover how climate, soil and landscape shape Pinotageās flavours. Among many new faces, we spotlight three producers who define what unique terroir can meanāHasher Family Estate (Upper Hemel-en-Aarde), Bruwer Vintners (Polkadraai Hills), and Diemersdal (Durbanville)āeach bringing a new perspective to Singapore. Donāt miss the chance to taste their distinctive wines and experience firsthand how regional origin impacts style.