The German Nicholas Cleef founded the De Zalze winery in 1683. At that time, he is said to have planted around 7,000 vines. Several owners have been at the helm of this successful winery. Kobus Basson and Rolf Schulz have owned De Zalze since 1996 and have built a new family tradition of winemaking from day one. The wines regularly win awards, and with good reason. There's a fantastic wine for every wine lover in the selection. In addition to the typical South African reds of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, Kleine Zalze also offers excellent white wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.
The Chenin Blanc grapes are sourced from select vineyards in Stellenbosch and Paarl. At peak ripeness, they are harvested and vinified separately. All grapes remain in contact with the skins for 12 to 24 hours before the free-flowing juice is transferred to tank for fermentation. Fermentation takes place with selected yeast strains at low temperatures. The wine then remains in contact with the lees for another four months before the final blend is made.
The Chenin Blanc grapes for this wine come from the Helderberg region, made with select vineyards along the coast. The vineyard is planted using a "bush" technique to ensure even ripening of the bunches. Its color is a bright straw yellow in the glass. The aroma reveals notes of tropical fruit, pineapple, and lime. On the palate, this Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc is soft and fresh with a rich texture and elegant minerality.
