Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans, Skurfberg (2024)
The 2024 Vintage
Chris and Suzaan Alheit are the undisputed pioneers of South Africa’s old-vine revival, and Huilkrans is their ultimate masterpiece from the remote Skurfberg mountains (Western Cape). Sourced entirely from decades-old, dry-farmed Chenin Blanc bush vines, this cuvée captures the extreme, sun-baked isolation of its high-altitude terroir.
The viticultural approach here is one of absolute minimal interference, allowing the ancient red sand and underlying clay soils to dictate the wine's profound concentration. After a careful hand-harvest, the fruit is whole-bunch pressed and fermented with native yeasts in older oak barrels. This slow, unhurried maturation process builds a remarkably intense, waxy texture without obscuring the piercing natural acidity that defines the site.
Pouring a glass of Huilkrans is an encounter with the pinnacle of modern Chenin Blanc. It delivers a deeply intellectual profile of bruised apple, preserved lemon, and wild fynbos, all anchored by a striking, crushed-rock minerality. It is a powerful, tightly wound white that commands absolute attention, perfectly equipped to pair with a rich pork belly roast or deeply savoury root vegetables.