Avondale 'Anima' Chenin Blanc 2021

Tasted blind, you might guess this rich, creamy textured white is classic Chardonnay from Burgundy. Even our resident Saffa did. This is a very serious wine for the money. Flavours of pineapple, lime and a hint of honey all feel very pure. I am sure the winery would tell you that the clean, mineral feel should be attributed to the combination of oak and qvevri fermentation. Absolutely delicious with roast chicken, potatoes and a mustard sauce.

Avondale is a pioneering South African wine producer renowned for its biodynamic and regenerative farming practices. Established in 1997 by the Grieve family on one of Paarl’s historic wine-growing farms, Avondale is led by Jonathan Grieve, who transformed the estate following a devastating fire in 2000. His philosophy, termed ‘Biologic’, blends organic and biodynamic principles to create a living, holistic system where soil, water, plants, animals, and people are interconnected. Their ethos, Terra Est Vita (“Soil is Life”), guides everything—from using ducks for pest control to planting and harvesting according to the lunar calendar. Rejecting monoculture, they embrace polyculture and biodiversity, tailoring grape varieties to specific soil types and practicing slow, natural winemaking with minimal intervention. The result is a collection of elegant, character-filled wines that are not only organic but truly regenerative, crafted in harmony with nature, for future generations.