South Africa’s Chenin Blanc legacy continues to shine — and this time, it’s the Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc flying the flag high. At the prestigious 2025 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) held in Yinchuan, China, Kleine Zalze’s Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2024 was awarded the only Grand Gold Medal for a South African wine — the competition’s highest honour.
This barrel-fermented, Stellenbosch-born white wine stood out among over 7,000 wines tasted blind by 375 global experts. For Kleine Zalze, this isn’t just an individual accolade — it’s a celebration of the terroir, heritage vines, and craftsmanship that define the very best of South African winemaking.
Stellenbosch’s Old Vine Magic
What makes this award-winning wine so special? It starts in the vineyard. The Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc is crafted from some of Stellenbosch’s finest Old Vine Heritage blocks, all of which are dryland bush vines grown on decomposed granite soils. These vines, nurtured through decades of resilience, yield grapes of exceptional concentration and character.
Winemaker RJ Botha credits this victory to a long-term commitment to Chenin Blanc and the diverse terroir of Stellenbosch. “We manage 95 hectares of old Chenin Blanc vines in the region, which gives us a wealth of site expression to draw from,” he explains. The 2024 vintage saw gentle hand-harvesting at sunrise, 24 hours of skin contact to build structure, and careful ageing in old French oak, concrete egg, and terracotta amphora — a blend of innovation and tradition that brings incredible depth to the final wine.
A Win for South Africa’s Wine Heritage
More than just a medal, this win highlights the global rise of South African Chenin Blanc — a variety once overlooked, now rightfully celebrated for its elegance, versatility, and sense of place. For Wine in the Cape guests exploring wine estates in Stellenbosch, Kleine Zalze offers not only world-class wines, but an immersive tasting experience on a beautiful estate that merges history, hospitality, and winemaking excellence. Whether you’re a seasoned Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc enthusiast or new to South Africa’s signature white, this award-winning wine is a must-try on your next Winelands visit.



