Reign of Terroir Chenin Blanc Swartland, South Africa

Producer

Journey’s End is right at the heart of Stellenbosch, with one of the cape’s most exciting terroirs. The philosophy in both the vineyards and cellar follows a minimum intervention approach

In the cellars, winemaker Leon Esterhuizen handles the grapes as little as possible, using pre-fermentation soaks to maximise fruit characters. His sensitive use of oak ensures that the fruit always shines through in the glass.

The family’s philosophy is one of minimal intervention, both in the vineyards and the cellar. 10ha of land on the estate has been set aside for a re-wilding project, and similar respect for the environment can be seen across the whole winery. Journey’s End are committed to using only natural pesticides, where possible forgoing these in favour of cover crops to distract pests away from vines and act as a natural fertiliser. Wildlife is abundant throughout the vineyards and farm and works to create a perfect ecosystem for winegrowing; from beehives that encourage pollination, to Egyptian runner ducks that eat insects, to Eagle owls that catch rodents.

But Journey’s End don’t stop there – they were the second winery in the whole of South Africa to become entirely solar powered. Alongside this, they have a deep-running focus on community; one of our Fairtrade producers, they undertake efforts from running soup kitchens and pensioners’ lunches, to building new school halls.

Founded in 1996 when the Gabb family took over the wine estate, Journey’s End is situated right in the heart of Stellenbosch – and, with one of the cape’s most exciting terroirs, has quickly become one of the region’s top wineries.

This Chenin Blanc is produced in its Swartland vineyard from bush vines planted in 1987 on sandy loam soils. Sustainably and partially dry farmed on what has traditionally been a harsh, arid climate. The family’s philosophy is one of minimal intervention, both in the vineyards and the cellar. Wildlife is abundant throughout the vineyards and farm and works to create a perfect ecosystem for winegrowing; from beehives that encourage pollination, to Egyptian runner ducks that eat insects.

Chenin Blanc has a rich history. It’s thought to have been established in the Anjou region of France as long ago as the 9th century and was probably known then as Chenere. The variety was renamed Chenin Blanc, after Mont Chenin, in the 15th century. Chenin Blanc has a long and interesting history in South Africa and is believed to be amongst the first vine cuttings that arrived here in 1655 during the time of Governor Jan van Riebeeck. Originally named Steen (Dutch for stone) after its minerality and durability to be grown in dry arid climates, it took the name Chenin for more commercial reasons in the 1970’s. Bush vine Chenin is predominantly grown in the Swartland, however, still to this day it makes up 19% of South Africa’s wine production – with parcels also used for Brandy!