HIGH up in the Cederberg mountains to the south-east and north-east of Clanwilliam and Citrusdal respectively… Amazing that they thought to plant grape vines up there among the rocks, the highest vineyards in South Africa's Western Cape with those cold, snowy winters. And so successfully! The Nieuwoudt family's winery is the only one in these parts, and at the top of the range of wines made using various varieties grown on their farm is the Five Generations tier comprising a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chenin Blanc, both among the best of the best in South Africa over the past 10 years, the 2024 vintage of the Chenin making headlines in 2026.
Scored 98 points at the 2026 edition of South Africa's authoritative Investec Trophy Wine Show, the Five Generations Chenin Blanc 2024 was judged Best White Wine overall. This after it had earned a gold medal and scored 95/100 at the UK's International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2025.
CEDERBERG FIVE GENERATIONS CHENIN BLANC 2024
WO Cederberg. Grapes from a trellised, irrigated, 19-year-old vineyard spanning just 2.3ha that was harvested between 20 February and 16 March. Fruit whole-bunch pressed and the juice settled for a day before being transferred into 22 French oak barrels (400L) and a concrete egg. Natural fermentation (wild yeast) over 40 to 60 days. No malolactic fermentation. Wine matured for 10 months with a monthly stirring of the lees (spent yeast), mostly in tight-grain barrels with medium toast (12% new, 12% second-fill, 12% third-fill, 56% older oak), with 8% in concrete egg.
Alc 13.5% | RS 3.3g/l | TA 6.4g/l | pH 3.4
From Cape Wine Master Sandy Harper's Tasting Notes: Opening from initial restraint to delicate notes of winter melon, prickly pear and warm hay. As the wine unfolds, aromas of ginger, honeycomb and warm baking spice. The palate is rich and opulent, with a silky, mouth-coating texture carrying layers of preserved ginger, poached pear, warm honey and sweet spices. On the finish, a gentle marmalade and citrus pith nuance adding freshness, complexity and finesse. Optimum drinking time: two to four years from release.
Producer's Pairing Suggestions: richly textured dishes such as honey-mustard roast chicken, pork belly with caramelised apple, Moroccan tagine.
R420pb ex-cellar.