​Heritage

In 1928, the family patriarch, Albertus Viljoen van der Merwe – “Alvi” to his friends – established a farm south of the town of Worcester in the Western Cape. Alvi’s son, Bertie, started wine production on the family farm and today the award-winning Alvi’s Drift wines are created by winemaker Alvi van der Merwe, Oupa (grandfather) Alvi’s grandson and namesake.

The Albertus Viljoen Icon range showcases the best of the harvest, full-bodied, barrel-fermented wines of outstanding character and complexity.

Wine of Origin

Scherpenheuwel

In the vineyard

With an ideal Mediterranean microclimate, an abundance of soil diversity and water from the life-giving Breede River, the Alvi’s Drift vineyards are ideally positioned for producing remarkable wines of unique character and complexity.

​

The pinnacle of all Alvi’s Drift Chenin Blanc wines, the grapes for Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc are hand selected from established, 20- to 48-year old Chenin Blanc vines in the cool, early morning hours, then whole-bunch pressed to ensure the preservation of natural fruit flavours.

​

In the cellar

After whole-bunch pressing, free-run juice was 100% barrel fermented in French oak, using both wild and cultured yeasts. After fermentation, the wine was matured for a further 12 months in 70% new oak barrels, and kept on lees to improve mouthfeel and complexity with regular batonnage. After maturation, wine from each barrel was individually tasted before blending.

Tasting notes

Star bright with a pale lemony colour, this wine boasts a forthcoming nose with intense notes of peach, blossoms and lemon. These aromas follow through on the palate, with fresh, crisp acids perfectly in balance with firm tannins. The wine’s fruit aromas open beautifully to linger on the mid palate. An elegant, well-rounded wine with a structure that will support ageing for at least up to eight years and beyond.

 
Food pairing

Serve this wine with spicy foods like medium to strong fish or chicken curries, creamy vegetable soup or bold cheeses like Cheddar or Gruyere.

Cultivars
100% Chenin Blanc

Analysis
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 4.8 g/l
Acidity: 6.5 g/l
pH: 3.1

​​

Not Kosher