David & Nadia Skaliekop Chenin Blanc 2021

Region and Vineyards

Skaliekop comes from the Paardeberg within Swartland, an area celebrated for dry-farmed bush vines and a warm Mediterranean climate tempered by maritime influence. Unusually, this vineyard sits on very shallow shale soils, a striking anomaly on a mountain better known for granite. That geological twist matters: shale tends to emphasise linearity and a stony, savoury cut, lending the wine its signature tension.

Planted in 1985 and farmed in a dryland context, the site is part of South Africa's heritage-vine movement and is certified under the Old Vine Project. A small tractor road divides Skaliekop from the neighbouring Plat'bos, highlighting how finely David & Nadia parse site differences on the same slope. Total production is tiny at 2,286 bottles, underscoring its rarity and single-vineyard intent.

Winemaking

Skaliekop 2021 is 100% Chenin Blanc, harvested mid to late February across three picking dates to capture nuance rather than a single snapshot of ripeness. Each picking is handled and kept as a separate lot, allowing the final blend to be built from multiple threads of fruit, acidity and texture rather than one dominant component.

In line with the estate's minimal-intervention philosophy, the different lots are matured separately before blending, then bottled at the end of the year. The producer does not specify vessel types for this cuvée in the technical information, but the timeline implies a long, steady élevage of roughly nine to ten months from harvest to bottling. At 12.5% alcohol with 2.4 g/L residual sugar, pH 3.19 and total acidity 6.2 g/L, the wine's balance is clearly geared toward dry precision, longevity and mineral articulation.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Bright straw with a green-gold sheen, clear and luminous in the glass.
• Aroma: Lifted citrus and white peach, then hints of grilled pineapple, chamomile and dried herbs, with a saline, wet-stone complexity and gentle spice.
• Palate: Dry, crystalline and tightly focused, combining zippy acidity with a silky, layered texture. Citrus and orchard fruit glide into a stony, savoury finish that feels long, precise and quietly powerful.

Did you know?

Skaliekop qualifies for the Certified Heritage Vineyards seal and forms part of the Old Vine Project, recognising South Africa's oldest, most historically significant vineyards and helping preserve them through premium single-site bottlings.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled line-caught seabass with lemon and capers: The wine's saline minerality and citrus lift echo the dish's brightness while staying razor-clean through the texture of the fish.
• Roast chicken with preserved lemon and thyme: Herbal top notes and taut acidity cut through savoury juices, while the palate's silkiness complements roast depth.
• Seared scallops with cauliflower purée: Sweet shellfish and creamy purée are balanced by the wine's dry, stony drive and precise finish.
• Goat's cheese tart with caramelised onion: Tangy cheese meets brisk acidity, and the wine's subtle spice and orchard fruit amplify the tart's sweet-savoury contrast.

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.