Skurfberg 2025: Chenin blanc in quartzitic sandstone with siltstone, shale & conglomerate beds. 

In 2025, Skurfberg ripening led to a wine that displays a more grounded mineral expression with very fine aromatics of stone fruit, riper pears and unripe passion fruit that merge into a waxy coating.

Skurfberg means "rugged mountain" in Afrikaans, a fitting name for this edgy, weathered stretch of the Citrusdal range. Old bush vine Chenin Blanc grows here on sandy, weathered Table Mountain sandstone, in a warm, dry area that, against expectation, produces Chenin of remarkable freshness and texture.

Grapes are picked into small 20kg crates and cooled before pressing, essential in a region where harvest temperatures often top 35°C. Whole bunch pressing takes about three hours, after which the juice settles into two older foudres for a natural fermentation that can take ten days or more to begin and up to six months to complete. The wine ages 12 months in cask on the full fermentation lees, with about 50ppm sulphur added before bottling directly from the barrel. Yield: 20 hl/ha, the lowest in the range.

Tasting Notes: Stone fruit, ripe pear and a whisper of unripe passion fruit merge into a waxy, textural mid-palate, framed by a grounded, mineral core. Savoury tannin and firm acidity carry through to a long, lingering finish; one of the more precise, mineral driven vintages of Skurfberg to date.

Food Pairing:  The mineral backbone, stone‑fruit aromatics, and waxy texture create a wine of depth and freshness that pairs beautifully with butter‑poached lobster, crab cakes, or pork belly with pear compote. Its firm acidity and savoury tannins cut through rich curries or creamy sauces, while aged cheeses like Comté or Taleggio highlight its layered character. This Chenin from Citrusdal Mountain is a natural match for dishes that balance richness with bright, aromatic lift.

ANALYSIS: ALC 14.5% | TA 6.0g/L | pH 3.40 | RS 1.6g/L