Maanschijn 'Herbarium' Cape White, Cape South Coast, South Africa 2023

Founded by Jasper and Franziska Wickens, Maanschijn is a tiny, independent project in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley focused on producing soulful, low-intervention wines from old vines and heritage varieties. 'Herbarium' is an ever-evolving Cape White blend—a vibrant, living record of place and season, assembled from dry-farmed vineyards across the Western Cape.

• WINEMAKER: Jasper Wickens

• FARMING: Practicing Organic (dry-farmed, no certification)

• VARIETY:

  40% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Chenin Blanc, 20% Semillon, and 10% Chardonnay

• TERROIR: Fruit sourced from old vines in the Swartland, Breedekloof, and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde, grown on a mix of decomposed granite and shale soils with strong coastal influence.

• VINIFICATION: Whole-bunch pressed with spontaneous fermentation in old barrels. Each wine is aged separately, then blended before another shorter aging cycle followed by unfiltered bottling.  No fining, filtration, or sulfur added at bottling.

• AGING: Aged in old French oak barrels for 6 months

• TASTING NOTES: Bursting with citrus peel, sea spray, and green apple on the nose. The palate is salty, stony, and bright with mouthwatering acidity and notes of pear skin, lemon pith, and crushed herbs.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Grilled prawns, green papaya salad, herbed chèvre, or anything with preserved lemon.