SONWATER

2023 Swartland White Van Niekerk Vintners

IN STOCK
Grapes Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche
Colour White
Origin South Africa, Swartland
ABV 13.5%

The 2023 Sonwater is again inspired by the famous 1960’s Lieberstein blend and consists of Chenin Blanc (90%) and Clairette Blanche. Contrary to its namesake, Sonwater is not a semi-sweet wine. Broad and sweeping with gentle power and fresh cut - this is a charming, impressive wine. Celebrating that perfect harmony for farmers like Albert of Sunlight and Water. The Chenin Blanc was once again sourced the old bush vine block on the Langkloof farm, Swartland, planted in 1979. Clairette Blanche came from the 1984 Esperance block, just outside of Worcester. This spends 10 months in barrel to gently mellow. The results are stupendous. L&S (Dec 2024)

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As well as their day job in the cellar at Gabriëlskloof, Albert and Anmar van Niekerk make a trio of wines under their own label. Based on the Lieberstein blend of the 1960s, this partners Chenin Blanc and 10% Clairette. Perfumed and showing a little colour, this has layers of thatch and wild flowers, subtle wood and citrus and orange zest fruit. Drinking range: 2025 - 2028 Rating: 91 L&S (Nov 2024)

Van Niekerk Vintners

VNV was born in the heart of the beautiful Overberg in 2019, a perfect setting to pay tribute to Albert's family history. The Van Niekerks have been farming in the area for generations and this new chapter has been started by Albert and Anmar who continue the tradition as a husband and wife winemaking team.

Albert van Niekerk is assistant winemaker to Peter-Allan Finlayson of Crystallum and John Seccombe of Thorne & Daughters, last year he married Anmar, who is the Gabriëlskloof assistant winemaker, and the two now work together in producing wines under this label.

In the late 1600s a prosperous farmer, Cornelis van Niekerk and eight others took a stance against the Cape’s corrupt governor by refusing to sell their wine to the dishonest regime. Instead, they sold directly to passing ships at a much fairer price. This landed them in a Mauritian jail where Cornelis eventually passed away - unjustly branded as one of “The 9 Rebellious Vrijboeren”. It is from this family history that young Albert Van Niekerk derives the name of their gorgeously attractive red 'Rebellie'.

The Winter Essentials Mixed Case

A 12-bottle collection designed for the bright side of winter. Comforting reds, crisp whites, and sparkling discoveries that prove January is a time for pleasure, not penance.

The Winter Essentials Mixed Case threads this needle perfectly. It's a collection of wines that are light on their feet but deep in character—bottles chosen to invigorate the palate without sacrificing that essential winter richness.

❄️ The Virtuous Discoveries

If you're looking for wines that feel like a brisk walk on a frosty morning, look to the whites in this case. We've included the 2024 Pinot Gris from Illahe Vineyards in Oregon—a winery so committed to sustainability that they still use draft horses to harvest the grapes. It sits alongside the Sonwater White from the Swartland, a Chenin blend that captures the wild, dusty energy of South Africa. For the traditionalist, there's the limestone snap of Dauvissat's Petit Chablis and the textural elegance of Chagnoleau's Mâcon Villages.

🍷 Comfort & Sunshine

For the reds, we've balanced old-world soul with new-world sunshine. Land of Saints GSM brings a beam of Santa Barbara light to a grey London day, while Domaine Gayda's T'Air d'Oc Syrah offers juicy, pepper-dusted crunch. When the evening draws in, you can retreat to the savoury, brooding grip of Luigi Maffini's Aglianico, the leather-and-cherry notes of Fattoria di Magliano's Morellino di Scansano, or the timeless Pinot Noir comfort of Domaine Ninot's Rully Rouge.

✨ Bookends Worth Celebrating

Bookended by two sparkling wines that rival the big names of Champagne—a Franciacorta of immense pedigree and a Limoux Méthode Traditionnelle—this case is an invitation to broaden your horizons.

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