Testalonga, Mielie, Swartland, South Africa
Craig and Carla Hawkins' wines seem to get better with every vintage. They make beautiful, poised, satisfying and utterly lovely wines from low yielding vines mainly growing on granitic soils in Swartland. Often using techniques including whole bunch ferments, extended skin contact and old oak foudres, with just a touch of sulphites at bottling, these are lovely, almost delicate wines that are a million miles from the stereotypical blockbuster South African wines you may be used too.
They are now getting incredibly sought after and we have to be quick on our feet to get an allocation each year.
Pronounced "Mee-Lee", a Miele is a corncob in Afrikaans, a staple food in South Africa and also the nickname for Craig and Carla's daughter, Camilla.
A new cuvée made exclusively for the UK. 100% Chenin from two parcels of vines, one of them planted in 1961, the oldest Craig works with.
Producer - TestalongaCountry - South Africa
Region - Swartland
Variety / Blend - Chenin Blanc
Wine Style - White Wine
Farming - Organic
Vegan
Low Sulphates