Steilpad Chenin '23

Jorrie du Plessis' steep journey through winemaking has had stops at Lammershoek and Kalmoesfontein. In 2019 he launched his Steilpad label with a single wine – this lean, salty, and energetic Chenin Blanc from old vines that ask for little and give a whole lot.

Once picked, grapes are stored in a cold room to reduce their temperature. This step is essential in the sweltering Swartland summers and ensures no drama during pressing or fermentation. The grapes are then hand-sorted for quality, pressed, and transferred to French oak barrels for spontaneous fermentation and aging on the lees over 9 months. The wine is then racked, lightly sulphured, and returned to barrel for a further 4 months before bottling.

Jorrie's flagship delivers time and again on a Paardeberg promise of stonefruit, fynbos, and lingering minerality.