Churchview Estate

St Johns Chenin Blanc 2019

Selected rows and individual bunches of Chenin Blanc were hand harvested from the Western end of the vineyard. These bunches tended to be on the outer part of the vines where the fruit had a little more sun exposure. After a hand pick, a select number of “special” bunches are removed and returned to cool storage. These bunches will eventually be returned to the fermenting wine in the barrel. The balance of the fruit is pressed straight into a mixture of new French Oak Puncheons and 1 – 2 year old French Barriques. Without disclosing the exact method the fruit put aside were placed into the oak for extra skin contact during fermentation and maturation. This gives us that very special rich decadent mouth feel and adds depth and complexity to the wine. The juice is allowed to ferment naturally in barrel and matures on lees and skins for 10 months before assemblage and preparation for bottling. No fining agents and minimal filtration.