In the heart of the Cape Winelands, just outside Stellenbosch, lies Kleine Zalze, a name synonymous with exceptional South African winemaking. Steeped in tradition yet progressive in spirit, the estate continues to shape the narrative of quality and innovation, with its latest Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2024 paying homage to the deep roots of the country’s viticultural heritage.
This Chenin Blanc is more than just a wine – it is a tribute to South Africa’s most storied grape. The 2024 vintage is crafted from Heritage Certified bush vines, planted over 35 years ago in decomposed granite soils. These old, low-yielding vineyards are part of a vanishing yet deeply valued resource – a living expression of Stellenbosch terroir and a viticultural legacy that cannot be replicated.
The grapes were hand-harvested in the cool morning hours to preserve natural freshness. Fermentation took place in a combination of French oak barrels (95%), concrete egg, and terracotta amphora, each vessel lending its own nuance to the wine. Seven months of ageing on primary lees contributed weight, texture and finesse, without compromising vibrancy or purity.
While the resulting wine shows delicate aromatics and refined fruit, its significance lies equally in the story behind the bottle – one of patience, sustainability, and profound respect for old vine material. These bush vines, certified by the Old Vine Project, have weathered decades of seasonal change, anchoring themselves deep into the soils of Stellenbosch and delivering fruit of exceptional complexity and integrity.
This reverence for heritage vineyards is also reflected in Kleine Zalze’s Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2023, another wine born from carefully farmed bush vines in Stellenbosch’s decomposed granite-rich soils. Like the Vineyard Selection, this wine champions the contribution of Certified Heritage Vineyards, highlighting the structural elegance and ageability that come from mature, well-tended vines.
Minimal cellar intervention and careful maturation – using 400L French oak barrels, Italian terracotta amphora, and concrete eggs, without the use of new oak – allowed the natural characteristics of the fruit to shine through. With its layered complexity and mineral poise, the Family Reserve Chenin Blanc stands as a quiet testament to the quality achievable when site and vine age are given centre stage.
Kleine Zalze is proud to play a leading role in safeguarding Stellenbosch’s Chenin Blanc legacy, actively supporting the Old Vine Project and selecting vineyards that are not only productive but also historically and culturally significant. With over half of South Africa’s certified old vine plantings comprising Chenin Blanc, and Stellenbosch hosting the highest concentration, the region remains central to this narrative.
At Kleine Zalze, heritage is not just preserved – it is elevated. Through the Vineyard Selection 2024 and Family Reserve 2023 Chenin Blancs, the estate reaffirms its deep connection to these treasured vineyards, crafting wines that honour the past while defining the future of South African wine.
South African customers enjoy free delivery on orders over R1,800. You can purchase the two wines through our online store or explore our full range at https://kleinezalze.co.za/
For more information, call +27 (21) 880 0717. Stay connected—follow @kleinezalze on Facebook and Instagram.
