2023 'The Lark' Chenin Blanc, Olifantsberg

The ‘Lark’ from Olifantsberg is a top tier, Chenin Blanc and one for those obsessive seekers of the Chenin grape!  It has a clean-cut freshness and an exceptional balance of fresh stone fruit and bright citrus notes on a fleshy textured palate. Elegant and refined with a long expressive finish.

The grapes for this exceptional wine come from a 0.6-hectare vineyard located on the fertile slopes of the Olifantsberg Mountain Range where they endure large diurnal temperature differences and strong winds, at altitudes from 250 to 450 metres above sea level. During the winter the mountain peaks are snow-covered, keeping the vines dormant for longer. Strong, constant winds characterise this block; they have a cooling effect and encourage a slow, gradual ripening of the grapes, helping to maintain healthy vines and contribute freshness and elegance to the wines. The soil in the vineyard is made up of sandstone with clay-shale and quartz. The vineyard is farmed in a sustainable manner, with only ‘green’ products used to prevent disease, thus helping to maintain the biodiversity within the vineyards and soils.

The lark is found in many biomes in South Africa, each with distinct call and features depending on the biome. This wine is named after the Red Capped Lark which is found on the Olifantsberg farm. The lark resonates with this block of Chenin Blanc, as it too has its own expression and story to tell.