WITHIN the large Perdeberg outfit in the north-western reaches of South Africa's Paarl district there's a boutique cellar where dry-farming (unirrigated) culminates in two special wines under the Endura label, one white and one red – a single-vineyard Chenin and a Pinotage-driven Cape Blend. With 2017 having been the first vintage, they're different in style relative to the better known, also-good, bigger-volume ‘Dry Land Collection' of wines. More adventurous, you might say – the grapes coming from various districts and things happening somewhat differently from the moment they arrive at the winery. The Endura Chenin originates in the Paardeberg area of the Swartland district and the Endura Cape Blend can be made from fruit harvested in different locations, whereas the ‘Dry Land' range of wines are all WO Paarl. And once selected in the vineyard, the premium grapes for the Endura wines are further sorted by hand in the cellar before fermentation in a variety of vessels.
2025 has been another year of very good reviews for Endura. The 2023 Chenin scored 95/100 at the Decanter World Wine Awards (UK), earned gold at the Global Chenin Blanc Masters (UK) and was then the most highly rated white wine at SA's Veritas Awards – this after the 2022 vintage won a trophy for Perdeberg at the 2024 International Wine & Spirit Competition in the UK and also scored 95 points at the Veritas Awards that year. While the 2022 Cape Blend was among the winners in the Pinotage Association's 2025 Perold Cape Blend Competition – the 2021 vintage having rated 95 points at both the Decanter Awards and the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2024.
New at Perdeberg is a bistro-style, family-friendly restaurant called STEEN, the South African synonym for Chenin Blanc – quite appropriate for a wine producer that has long specialised in this variety. Open for pizzas on Monday and Tuesday, with a full/varied lunch (and breakfast) menu offered from Wednesday to Sunday.
ENDURA CHENIN BLANC 2023
WO Paardeberg-Swartland – grapes from a single vineyard planted on top of the Paardeberg mountain in 2008. Soil mostly decomposed granite. Grapes hand-harvested in the early morning, de-stemmed and sorted in the cellar. After the crush, juice settled overnight, with only free-run juice transferred to fermentation vessels that included ceramic amphora (20%), cement diamante tanks (20%), stainless steel tanks (30%) and second/third-fill 500L French oak barrels. Wine aged on the lees for eight months before blending. Only 2553 bottles produced
Alc 14.0 | RS 3.6 | TA 6.2 | pH 3.4
From Tasting Notes of Winemakers Albertus Louw and Andri le Roux: Green/yellow; notes of ripe stone fruit, citrus and lemon the the nose; rich palate with a fresh acidity and mineral finish. Ready to be enjoyed on release, with the potential to age for a further five years.
Producer's Pairing Suggestions: Will go well with most fish or poultry and an ideal match for spicy curries.
R300pb ex-cellar in Paarl – available from Perdeberg's vinoteque on request.
ENDURA CAPE BLEND 2022
WO Coastal Region. The soils are a combination of decomposed granite and Malmesbury shales. A Blend of Pinotage (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (33%) and Malbec (17%) – the Pinotage and Malbec vineyards in Paarl, the Cabernet vineyard in Stellenbosch, all planted in 2007. The harvest was impacted by very hot conditions in January and February. The grapes were hand-picked in small batches and the berries sorted further in the cellar. Fermentation took place in small stainless-steel tanks for seven days with regular pump-overs. After pressing, the wine was transferred to 500L French oak barrels (80% new) for malolactic fermentation and ageing for 18 months, following which the best barrels were selected and blended. Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly. Only 2668 bottles produced.
Alc 14.2 | RS 3.2 | TA 5.7 | pH 3.5
From Tasting Notes of Winemakers Albertus Louw and Andri le Roux: Deep crimson; bouquet of dark berries, blackcurrant, red fruit, hints of cocoa and dried tobacco-leaf; blueberries, cherries and a hint of vanilla on the palate; long, smooth finish. Ready to be enjoyed on release, with the ageing potential of five to eight years.
Producer's Pairing Suggestions: Goes well with rich dishes such as Cape Malay curry, red meat and wild game.
R350pb ex-cellar, Paarl.
For more about the Endura wines in the words of the producer, click here.
