Avondale Winery is located at the foot of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains near the Paarl Valley. At the helm is Johnathan Griever, a true pioneer in sustainable wine. Everything revolves around Mother Nature. The grapes are grown biodynamically, and all the wines are certified organic. The result is superb, top-quality wines. The grapes benefit from the warm weather, but the water flowing down from the mountain waterfalls naturally cools them. This allows the grapes to ripen optimally and develop their unique characteristics.
The hand-picked grapes were pressed whole-cluster, after which the juice fermented naturally in French oak barrels. Fifteen to 20 percent of the grapes are fermented in amphorae, giving the wine a magnificently full body and wonderful length. After fermentation is complete, the wine is aged on the lees for 12 months and is regularly stirred (batonnage) to retain more fullness and complexity.
The Avondale Anima Chenin Blanc smells of crisp winter melon, tropical pineapple, zesty lime, and a hint of delicate honey. These aromas further demonstrate what Chenin Blanc has to offer. On the palate, vibrant fruit notes of gooseberry, pear, and peach emerge, harmonizing beautifully with the rich minerality.
