"Sonop Hill has a character that is entirely its own and we want to express each block faithfully as we build our identity from them."
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R 2,580.00
Taxes included.
The Du Bois Vineyards Sonop Chenin Blanc 2024 comes from two single heritage vineyards planted in 1982 and 1986 on a north-eastern five-hectare slope, rising 240 to 280 metres above Koelenhof.
The vineyards, rooted in red and blue shale over fractured clay, capture morning sunlight and consistent moisture, producing fruit of exquisite balance and clarity.
Persistent False Bay breezes, a key element of Sonop Hill, temper vigour, intensify flavour and impart a notable minerality to the final wine. It's a wine that invites reflection and sharing, whether now or with time in the cellar.
Technical Information
Cultivar: 100% Chenin Blanc
Alc 13 % | RS 1.8 g/l | pH 3.48 | TA 5.09 g/l
In the Vineyard
The two single vineyards behind this wine were planted on the northeastern slopes of Sonop hill in 1982 and 1986. These heritage bush vines, rising above Koelenhof at 240 to 280 metres, lie on red and blue shale with fractured clay beneath, allowing deep root penetration, steady moisture uptake, and a natural fruit lift.
The 2024 growing season brought heavy rain in early spring, followed by persistent, fierce False Bay breezes that dried out the topsoil and kept vigour in check. The resulting low yields delivered berries with concentration, brightness and vivid flavour.
In the Cellar
The grapes were hand harvested in the early morning and then whole bunch pressed. The free-run juice and lightly pressed must were transferred to neutral 400 litre barrels, where natural fermentation unfolded at its own pace.
The wine remained on its lees for 11 months to build texture, energy and a sense of site. After malolactic fermentation, it was bottled without fining or additions, apart from a light sulphur adjustment. A further 6 months of bottle age allowed the components to integrate.
In the Glass
Pale gold in the glass, the wine opens with a perfume of white flowers and fynbos, intertwined with top notes of gravel, flint and thatch. Initially, the palate reveals nuances of apricot and orange peel but evolves into yellow stone fruit with time.
The mouth-coating old vineyard character is layered by a burst of freshness, pithiness and candied ginger, typical of shale-derived soils. The finish is persistent, spicy, and powerful. Rooted in place, it’s a wine to cellar, reflect on and share.
"This wine marks a defining moment in a legacy that began in 1931"
