With a journey of different Chenin Blanc wines, blends and styles, each bottle narrates the story of Chenin’s journey from just a blending variety to an expression of fine winemaking and vineyard heritage.
At the heart of this story is the pinnacle of our Chenin Blanc journey: the Old Vine Project Chenin Blanc, which reflects our dedication to preserving South African heritage through wine while pushing the boundaries of winemaking excellence.
Waterford Estate’s OVP Chenin Blanc pays homage to the invaluable work of the Old Vine Project (OVP), an initiative preserving South Africa’s oldest vineyards and elevating the nation’s wine quality. To be inducted into the Old Vine Project, the vineyards must be over 35 years old, bringing resilience and quality to the vines and it is this quality that sets Chenin blanc apart on the global stage. These old vines impart concentration, rich flavours and textures, showcasing the value of age in the vineyards.
This focus on heritage does not stop with Chenin Blanc. The lessons learned from nurturing these old Chenin Blanc vineyards extend to the Chardonnay vines on our property, planted in 1988, and are now informing the care of our Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards as they mature. Each generation of vines teaches us more about the land and the care required for vines to thrive in the Stellenbosch climate.
Waterford’s journey with Chenin Blanc began as an element in a blend, the 2007 and 2013 VSBC (Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc), two white blends that showcased Chenin’s structure and ageing potential. In 2017, we introduced a single varietal Library Collection Chenin Blanc marking the first use of concrete eggs for fermentation and maturation. This experiment marked a deeper exploration into Chenin Blanc, leading to the release of the Old Vine Project Chenin and the establishment of our Chenin Blanc as a wine with a devoted following.
To further grow our understanding of Chenin Blanc another experiment was conducted in the Library Collection Antique Chenin Blanc. Crafted in an oxidative style, this wine embraces intentional oxidation to reveal layers of nutty nougat, rich texture, and a rounded body – a testament to the complexity and versatility of South African Chenin Blanc. The Antique Chenin expanded on our deep respect for Chenin’s heritage while pushing creative boundaries, demonstrating how this varietal can transform when thoughtfully approached.
As the Library Collection grows, Waterford Estate remains dedicated to creativity and exploration creating wines with a foot in tradition and with an eye on innovation.
With the Old Vine Project Chenin Blanc and a limited Chenin release of Antique, wine enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience South African Chenin blanc in its finest form – a variety that has transformed from humble origins into a symbol of craftsmanship and heritage.