300 Years of Knowledge Collaborate

Du Plevaux is a collaboration between two long-standing South African families, the Du Plessis’ and Van Zijl’s. These two families have over 300 years knowledge and expertise cultivating vines. The name ‘Du Plevaux’ is also a collaboration of history. When one of the first residents of the Boland wine region in Wellington arrived, Dr Andrew Murray named his manse ‘Clairvaux’ as it reminded him of the ‘clear view’ from the castle of St Bernard in France. The Du Plessis family then arrived to Cape in 1688 from France. Clairvaux + Du Plessis designates Du Plevaux.

Chenin Blanc and Viognier (as well as their other varieties) come from their Uitkyk farm.  The Uitkyk farm is currently on it’s 4th generation Du Plessis owners and vine experts, Niel and Elsabe du Plessis.  Utikyk, meaning ‘lookout’, referrs to the breath-taking views.  Son in law, Theunis Van Zijl is the current winemaker for Du Plevaux.  Together, their wines are bottled at their facility named Imbuko.  Uitkyk is also one of the few farms to cultivate rootstocks in South Africa, for themselves and also for clients throughout South Africa.

Wellington is a ward located within the Paarl district.  Situated further inland, the climate is hotter with less influence from Atlantic sea breezes.  The area benefits from a higher dinural temperature swings creating wines with higher acidity and more aromatics.  Chenin Blanc is most known in Wellington, but red varieties thrive in the iron-rich Glenrosa soils.

The Wine:
Clean, medium lemon gold colour.  Medium aroma intensity with nuttiness, waxiness, honeydew, apricot and very light white flowers.  Full bodied, mouthcoating with a waxy texture.  Riper fruit on the palate, apricot, white peach, honeydew overtop of almond.  Elevated acidity makes the wine bright and allows the flavors to really linger on the palate.  It continues to evolve throughout the long finish.  The wine is very expressive on the palate, balanced, and elegant. 95% Chenin Blanc, 5% Viognier.