From serendipity to strategy – how a happy accident became the estate’s star attraction.
Groot Phesantekraal, a celebrated Durbanville wine estate, is redefining its white wine focus by turning the spotlight on Chenin Blanc – and not just any Chenin, but cool-climate Chenin that’s making waves in a region known for its Sauvignon Blanc.
“Some might call it swimming upstream,” says winemaker Richard Schroeder, “but there are so many alluring qualities we’ve discovered in cool-climate Chenin, we’ve now made it our primary white wine focus.”
Initially a supporting character in a predominantly Sauvignon-centric portfolio, Chenin Blanc began to attract widespread positive attention. Schroeder, 32, took notice and transformed the varietal from a happy accident into a headline act.
Grown in decomposed Malmesbury shale soils enriched by the farm’s own cattle herd, the Chenin vines benefit from exceptional water retention and drainage. The cool, slow-ripening conditions further unlock the wine’s full potential, creating flavourful, low-alcohol expressions with refreshing acidity and aromatic complexity.
“The combination of these soils with a cool, slow-ripening lead-up to the harvest, rewards us in many ways: generous aromatics, rich but vibrant concentration, and balance of flavours,” explains Schroeder.
“You get crisp, supple freshness with invigorating tension and a satisfyingly layered taste. No palate fatigue here – just a wine with weightless buoyancy and intensity.”
The estate’s flagship Chenin, the Anna de Koning Chenin Blanc, is named after an 18th-century high-society woman born to a slave, who later became owner of the farm. It is a refined expression that tells a story through its elegance and ageability.
“It has this floral bouquet and lemony, creamy acidity with ripe pear and spicy richness,” says Schroeder.
“I call it ethereal density. I know it sounds like a contradiction, but you’ll recognise it as soon as you taste it.”
The Anna de Koning Chenin Blanc (2023 vintage) sells at R265 a bottle, while the 2024 Estate Chenin Blanc offers a fresh, flinty, fruit-forward alternative at R110 per bottle. For #DrinkChenin Day on Saturday, 14 June, a 15% discount applies to Chenin purchases at the farm or online.
A Durbanville native, Schroeder brings a rich pedigree to the cellar, having worked under industry icons Kevin Grant (Ataraxia) and Coenie Snyman (Rust & Vrede). Since joining Groot Phesantekraal ahead of the 2021 harvest, his wines have earned top honours – including trophies at the 2023 and 2025 Investec Trophy Wine Shows and the 2023 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards. He has also twice been nominated for Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year.
Versatile, elegant, and terroir-driven – Groot Phesantekraal’s Chenin Blanc story proves that sometimes the best wine narratives begin with unexpected turns.
Visit www.grootphesantekraal.co.za for more details, to shop online, or to book at the estate’s revamped restaurant.
Contact Information:
📧 restaurant@phesantekraal.co.za
📞 +27 (21) 825 0060
