2023 Craven Wines "Karibib Vineyard" Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Chenin blanc is a variety that Mick and Jeanine have always wanted to work with, but were waiting for the right vineyard to come along. Towards the end of 2015, they came across a beautiful site up on the Polkadraai Hills. This faux-bushvine vineyard had been farmed for sweet wine production, and the farmer was happy that they were excited to make some dry wine out of it! A little bit of TLC and the couple had a special block on their hands.
There are 12 units left in stock.
ABOUT THIS WINE
The grapes were whole-bunch pressed for this wine to a concrete tank, where it is left to ferment naturally. Mick and Jeanine let the wine complete malolactic fermentation and stabilise itself, and the wine is then left on the lees for around 4 months before its first racking. It spends a total of 9 months in barrel before bottling.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Craven Wines is a winemaking collaboration between husband-and-wife team Mick and Jeanine Craven. Mick is an Aussie currently working as lead winemaker at Mulderbosch during the day; Jeanine is South African, and they met in California 'dragging hoses' in Sonoma for harvest in 2007. After both having taken to the text books at their respective universities, they decided to hit the road, see lots of things, work in lots of places and try and learn as much as possible from this massive wine world. After travelling across the world together for four years and learning about wines in Australia, Europe, the States and South America, the couple returned to South Africa in late 2011. They feel Stellenbosch has such an amazing array of sites and terroir, and that it is perfect for what they want to do, which is making site-specific, honest wines.
Details:
Grape(s) | Chenin Blanc |
Farming | Sustainable |