Certified Old Vines

Reserve Chenin Blanc

Historically known as Steen, meaning ‘stone’ in Afrikaans, Chenin Blanc thrives in the stony soils of this Certified Heritage Vineyard, planted in 1976. The gnarled old vines are treated with the same care and respect as the retired mules who spent their golden years grazing in the adjacent paddock, after which the vineyard is named.

49 years | 1.7 ha

Let’s Get Technical

Unpack what goes into producing an old vine wine of this calibre at Bellevue Wine Estate.

Viticulture

From a Certified Heritage Vineyard planted in 1976, with low-yielding bush vines that are irrigated when necessary. These Chenin Blanc vines thrive in sandy loam soil on a southern slope in rows that are strategically aligned in a north-south orientation.

Vinification

One third fermented in barrel, two thirds in tank, followed by three to four months of lees contact without undergoing malolactic fermentation. Blended, stabilised and filtered prior to bottling.

Uncork It

Enticing aromas of white pear blossoms, with stone fruit flavours of peach, nectarine and apricot persisting on the palate. Aromatic yet elegantly dry, a versatile food match, particularly recommended with creamy pasta or mild curry dishes.

Peach
Nectarine
Apricot

About The Vines By The Winemaker

These Chenin Blanc bush vines were planted in 1976, and the vineyard is fondly known by the workers as “Eselgraf”. The name, translated from Afrikaans, amusingly references the neighbouring open field that served as the final resting place of the donkeys that once toiled the land.

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