Alheit Vineyards Huilkrans Chenin Blanc 2025 is revealed as a singular masterpiece of Citrusdal Mountain winemaking. Crafted by acclaimed vintners Chris and Suzaan Alheit, this rare old‑vine treasure is produced in highly limited quantities. The Huilkrans label has long been distinguished by critics, with previous vintages attaining 98‑point recognition from Tim Atkin MW and 97‑point acclaim from Christian Eedes of Winemag.co.za. The 2025 release now enters this lineage as a monumental expression of excellence, standing proudly among South Africa’s finest achievements.

The Name: The Visser family chose the name Huilkrans, the name of a cliff on the farm that weeps when it rains. Since the untimely passing of their son Kallie in 2017, the name now has an unintended double meaning. Even so, they’ve elected to keep it unchanged. The label pays homage to Kallie.

Huilkrans is a single origin Chenin Blanc wine. It has gained a very strong following amongst Chenin lovers and is considered by critics to be approximately equal to Magnetic North in quality. If Magnetic North is the tenor
voice of Skurfberg, then Huilkrans must be the deeper baritone. It works on a lower, richer frequency, but still unmistakably from this great appellation. 

Oudam farm is an absolute treasure for us. We’ve been through many years here, highs and lows, triumphs, and heartbreaks. We love the people and understand the land. There is something very special about this place in the mountains - isolation, old vines, low rainfall, deep red sand over red clay. Huilkrans is made from old dry farmed Chenin parcels planted between 1974 and 1989 on a gentle southern slope at 450m above sea level. These big bushvines are wide planted (low density vineyards) with yields usually in the region of 1.5 ton/Ha.

The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The juice is very lightly settled (we like very cloudy raw juice) with no additions to the raw juice. Wild fermentation took place in foudres and also in old barrels of various sizes, mostly 400L. Fermentation lasted for about one month. The wine was kept on lees for around 12 months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling. Very simple, careful winemaking. 

Tasting Notes: The nose is grand and effortless, with ripe apple, citrus oil and some blossom. The palate rolls on for ages, carried by lovely cleansing acidity into a far-reaching, sappy, driving finish. Hand sorted, whole bunch pressed and wild-fermented in foudres and old barrels (mostly 400L) over about a month, then matured for 12 months on lees before a further six months on fine lees in tank, unfined. 13.5% alcohol. If Magnetic North is the tenor voice of Skurfberg, Alheit calls Huilkrans the deeper baritone.

Food Pairing: The wine's fuller body and long finish call for something equally substantial: pan-seared trout with almond butter, a creamy wild mushroom risotto, or veal schnitzel. A ripe, bloomy-rind Brie would also do it justice.

ANALYSIS: ALC 13.5% | TA 6.6g/L | pH 3.27 | RS 1.6g/L