Name: Donkiesbaai Steen 2025
Brand: Donkiesbaai
Price: 29.4 EUR
Availability: InStock

Donkiesbaai Steen 2025

Donkiesbaai Steen is a rich and charming Chenin Blanc crafted from certified heritage bush vines planted in 1986 and 1988. This wine draws you in with an expressive bouquet of fruit salad, vanilla, and lemon meringue. On the palate, it reveals sophisticated layers of white pineapple, dried apple, and a delicate hint of chamomile, providing remarkable depth. The mouthfeel is full and dry, perfectly balanced by a vibrant acidity that cuts through the ripe fruit. Subtle nuances of almond biscotti, lemon curd, and a touch of white pepper emerge on the finish, leading to a creamy and lingering aftertaste. This "Steen" (the traditional South African name for Chenin Blanc) is a testament to the concentration and mid-palate weight that only old vines can provide.

2025 / 0.75l / 13,37% / Piekenierskloof - South Africa

About the Winery

Donkiesbaai is a deeply personal project for the Engelbrecht family, named after a remote bay on the West Coast where they have holidayed for four generations. While Stellenbosch is the heart of their operations, Donkiesbaai represents their "adventurous" side, exploring further-flung corners of South Africa’s winelands. The wines are crafted with West Coast cuisine in mind, designed to be the perfect partner for crayfish, "harders," and the relaxed coastal lifestyle. Under the guidance of head winemaker Danielle le Roux, the range emphasizes the use of certified heritage old vines. The flagship of the range is the Steen (the traditional South African name for Chenin Blanc), a wine that beautifully balances family heritage, a respect for tradition, and a love for South Africa’s wild coastal landscapes.

Terroir

The terroir for the Donkiesbaai range is centered in the unique Piekenierskloof region, located about 3.5 hours north of Cape Town. The vineyards sit at a high altitude of 650 meters above sea level, experiencing warm summer days offset by cool evening winds. The soils are deep, sandy, and nutrient-poor, which, combined with dry-land farming (no irrigation), forces the vines to produce lower yields with highly concentrated flavors.

A defining feature of this terroir is the heritage bush vines, planted in 1986 and 1988 and certified by the Old Vine Project. These old vines have established deep root systems that are resilient to drought, yielding grapes with incredible mid-palate weight, complexity, and the distinct minerality characteristic of the Piekenierskloof area.

Recommended wine pairings

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Donkiesbaai Steen 2025