Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2023

In the vineyard

Grapes were hand-picked and crushed. Some lots were given overnight skin contact. The juice was cold settled to brilliant clarity. It was then inoculated with selected yeast strains known for producing very fruity wines. The fermentation temperature was kept between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius to ensure a slow fermentation and optimal fruit flavour production. A cold, but dry winter in 2022 was followed by a lengthy dry spell during spring and into the start of summer. Well-timed December rains brought much-needed relief for the vineyards of the Cape and played an important role in fruit set and energizing the vines for the coming weeks before harvest. It was the earliest start to harvest in living memory at Simonsig, with the first grapes arriving at the cellar on January 11th. Throughout harvest, the temperatures remained temperate. It was the second coldest harvest season in the last 10 years, with mean temperatures staying below the long-term average. This created excellent ripening conditions for the grapes, setting up an exceptional harvest for rosé and white wines.