David & Nadia Hoe-Steen Chenin Blanc 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Swartland region, located north of Cape Town, is one of South Africa’s most dynamic wine-growing areas. Known for its dry, rugged landscapes and warm Mediterranean climate, the region provides ideal conditions for Chenin Blanc, particularly from old bush vines. The dramatic diurnal temperature shifts – warm days followed by cool nights – ensure that the grapes retain their natural acidity while developing complexity and ripeness.

The Hoë-Steen vineyard, located west of Malmesbury towards Darling, is a true relic of South African viticulture. Planted in 1968, the vineyard consists of old, dry-farmed bush vines rooted in deep red iron- and clay-rich soils with limestone influences. The distinctive soil composition gives the Chenin Blanc its hallmark mineral tension, elegance, and structure. The vines, established through massale selection, bring diversity and balance to the fruit. With their low yields and deep roots, these vines deliver grapes of remarkable concentration, purity, and freshness, making Hoë-Steen a benchmark site for old-vine Chenin Blanc.

Winemaking

David & Nadia’s winemaking philosophy is centered on respecting the vineyard and allowing the wine to express its origins. The Chenin Blanc grapes are hand-harvested in multiple pickings to capture optimal ripeness and balance. Once in the cellar, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed, a gentle technique that preserves the delicate aromas and avoids extracting harsh phenolics. The resulting juice is transferred to neutral French oak barrels to undergo a slow, natural fermentation, allowing the wine to develop texture and complexity.

The wine is aged for 12 months on its lees, enhancing its mouthfeel and providing subtle layers of flavor. The use of older oak ensures that the wood influence remains understated, allowing the wine’s pure fruit, minerality, and terroir-driven character to shine. This patient, hands-off approach results in a Chenin Blanc of precision and elegance, with a beautiful balance of natural acidity, richness, and tension.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale gold with luminous clarity.
• Aroma: Subtle and refined, featuring notes of pear, quince, and yellow apple, complemented by hints of white flowers, wet stone, and a touch of honeyed citrus.
• Palate: Elegant and layered, with a beautiful interplay of stone fruit, delicate citrus, and saline minerality. The wine’s natural acidity provides energy and freshness, while a subtle lees influence adds texture and length. The finish is persistent, with a clean, mineral-driven edge.

Did You Know?

The Hoë-Steen vineyard is part of the Old Vine Project, an initiative dedicated to preserving South Africa’s historic vineyards. Planted in 1968, the vineyard is an exceptional example of how old vines produce wines of greater complexity, concentration, and balance.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Seared scallops with lemon butter sauce: The wine’s vibrant acidity and minerality complement the richness of the scallops while enhancing the citrus notes.
• Roast chicken with thyme and garlic: The wine’s elegant structure and subtle texture pair beautifully with the savory flavors of the roast chicken.
• Grilled sole with capers and herbs: The saline minerality and delicate fruit flavors of the Chenin Blanc highlight the freshness of the fish.
• Soft goat cheese with honey and walnuts: The wine’s natural acidity balances the creaminess of the cheese, while its layered flavors complement the sweetness of the honey.

History of David & Nadia

David Sadie grew up in the Swartland and studied viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University. After gaining experience in both South Africa and abroad, he developed a winemaking style focused on purity, precision, and site expression. Nadia Sadie, a trained soil scientist and viticulturist, complements the project with her deep understanding of Swartland’s complex geology. Together, they launched the David & Nadia label in 2013, with their first wine—a Grenache Noir—sourced from a single dryland bush vine vineyard in Paardeberg.

Early on, the couple did not own vineyards. Instead, they built lasting relationships with growers across Swartland, carefully selecting plots of old bush vines that aligned with their ethos of sustainable farming and minimal intervention. In 2014, they began producing Chenin Blanc, which would become the backbone of their range. Over the years, the project expanded to include a portfolio of both single-vineyard wines and blends, and David eventually stepped away from his role at another winery to focus solely on their brand.

They joined the Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) movement and are vocal advocates for dry-farming, low-yielding bush vines, and natural viticulture. Their philosophy rests on the idea that wine is made in the vineyard: “We don’t chase varietal expression,” David says. “We want the site to speak.”

Region and Vineyards

Swartland has become one of South Africa’s most exciting wine regions, known for its granite, shale, and iron-rich soils, Mediterranean climate, and wealth of heritage bush vines, especially Chenin Blanc. David & Nadia work exclusively with dry-farmed bush vines, many of which are 35 to 55 years old, across a selection of 13 to 15 parcels primarily in the Paardeberg, Kasteelberg, and Malmesbury areas.

The terroir diversity of Swartland plays a key role in their wines. Granitic soils from the Paardeberg contribute elegance, freshness, and salinity to their whites. Shale-rich sites on Kasteelberg add texture, while iron-oxide-rich soils around Malmesbury bring power and structure to the reds.

All their vineyards are either certified organic, in conversion, or managed sustainably, with cover crops and minimal chemical use. They champion low yields, averaging 3 to 4 tonnes per hectare, to enhance concentration and expression. David & Nadia’s work has also helped revive and preserve old vine parcels that might otherwise have been lost.

Wine Range of David & Nadia

The David & Nadia portfolio is built on two foundational categories: the main range and the single-vineyard wines, with both tiers united by a philosophy of restraint, finesse, and age-worthiness.

Their core range includes:

• David & Nadia Chenin Blanc – A multi-site blend from eight old vineyards, showcasing Swartland’s Chenin Blanc in its most balanced form.
• Grenache Noir – One of the most refined Grenaches in South Africa, made with whole-bunch fermentation and aged in old oak for minimal extraction.
• Elpidios – A Rhône-style red blend (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, and Pinotage), offering fragrance, structure, and aging potential.

Their Single Vineyard Series focuses on terroir transparency and includes:

• Hoë-Steen Chenin Blanc – From a 1968-planted vineyard in Paardeberg; textured, saline, and tightly wound, often rated among the top white wines in South Africa.
• Skaliekop – From shale soils in Kasteelberg, noted for its richness and tension.
• Plat’Bos, Siebritskloof, and Witberg – Each representing different soil types and altitudes, giving a spectrum of Swartland Chenin expression.

All wines are made using spontaneous fermentation, gentle pressing, minimal sulphur, and no fining or filtration. Fermentation is typically done in old barrels or foudre to preserve site character, with aging often lasting 11 to 12 months.

Their style is best described as Burgundian in philosophy but Swartland in soul—nuanced, textural, and driven by minerality rather than ripeness.

Did you know?

David & Nadia’s Hoë-Steen vineyard is a member of the Old Vine Project, South Africa’s initiative to protect vines older than 35 years. With roots dating back to 1968, it is among the oldest Chenin Blanc vineyards still in production in the Cape.