David & Nadia Rondevlei Chenin Blanc 2022

Region and Vineyards

Rondevlei is situated in an arid plain west of Malmesbury, within South Africa’s Swartland region. Known for its dryland bush vines and ancient soils, Swartland has become a benchmark for artisanal, site-driven Chenin Blanc. David & Nadia focus on vineyards farmed organically and with dry-farming methods, aiming to reveal the unique voice of each site.

The Rondevlei vineyard, planted in 1984, is the only double-row vineyard that the duo cultivates. This unusual layout in the otherwise low-density bush vine landscape contributes to a different canopy dynamic and ripening rhythm. The vineyard is certified by the Old Vine Project (OVP) and Certified Heritage Vineyards (CHV), a seal of authenticity and historical significance. Harvested across four picking dates from late January to mid-February, the grapes were vinified parcel by parcel to capture nuance and complexity.

Winemaking

True to David & Nadia’s low-intervention approach, the Rondevlei Chenin Blanc is fermented with native yeasts. One third of the cuvée underwent fermentation and ageing in a concrete egg, a vessel known for preserving purity while adding textural richness. The remaining two-thirds were fermented and matured in older barrels, allowing for subtle oxidative integration without overt oak influence.

The final blend was assembled at the end of the year. With 12.5% alcohol, 1.8 g/L residual sugar, and 98 mg/L total SO₂, the wine maintains freshness, energy, and stability. The total production was just 1,859 bottles, underscoring its artisanal, boutique nature.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale gold with green highlights, brilliant clarity.
• Aroma: Expressive yet focused, showing yellow apple, citrus peel, hay, and a hint of crushed limestone. A subtle herbal thread weaves through.
• Palate: Medium-bodied and finely textured. The wine is layered with notes of quince, lemon oil, and flinty minerality. A gentle creaminess from the egg-ferment complements a long, salty finish driven by bright acidity.

Did you know?

David & Nadia were both born in 1984, the same year the Rondevlei vineyard was planted—adding a symbolic layer of connection to this site. Rondevlei is unique in their portfolio as the only double-row Chenin vineyard they work with. The use of concrete egg fermentation is also a rarity in South Africa, lending the wine an extra dimension of precision and mouthfeel without overpowering structure.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Salt-baked seabass with citrus butter: The wine’s saline drive and lemony freshness echo the subtle maritime lift of the dish.
• Cauliflower gratin with nutmeg and Gruyère: Textural harmony between wine and dish with a touch of oxidative creaminess.
• Prawns sautéed with garlic and white wine: The wine’s bright acidity complements the sweetness and spice of shellfish.
• Fresh goat’s cheese and fennel salad: Herbal lift and chalky textures match effortlessly with the Chenin’s mineral structure.

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.