Crafted by passionate winemaker Jessica Saurwein, this elegant Riesling blends fruit from two cool-climate Elgin vineyards—Casey’s Ridge and De Rust—bringing together red slate and shale soils for a layered, expressive wine. 2022 offered a long, cool ripening season, perfect for developing vibrant aromatics and balance. Fermented naturally in stainless steel, the result is a bright, fragrant wine with notes of citrus blossom, white pear, ginger, and a hint of flint. “Chi” means life force—and this wine certainly has it. Perfect with fresh salads, soft cheeses, or lightly spiced Asian dishes.

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Grape origin: 
60% of the blend’s fruit comes from Casey’s Ridge Vineyard, Elgin on loamy and very rocky red slate soils. (Riesling clones WR110F and vineyard was planted 2011.) 

The other 40% of the blend De Rust Vineyard, Elgin on decomposed Bokkeveld Shale. (Riesling clones 110 & 239 and vineyard was planted 2006.)

Vintage 2022:
2022 was a great vintage with a very long, cool ripening 

Winemaking:
Grapes were hand-picked, cooled, then hand-sorted, destemmed and pressed. Spontaneous fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, which lasted about 6 weeks until optimal residual sugar balance achieved at about 11,5 g/ l. The wine was prepared for bottling and bottled after 3 months in tank. 

Experience:
Fragrant citrus blossom, yellow stone fruits, white pear, ginger, Piña colada, honey suckle, flint 

The story:
Chi means “life force” and Chi stands for CHIUTA (an African rain god). 
Situated in the fertile Elgin valley, the picturesque vineyard site inspired
the creation of this crisp, handcrafted Riesling.

If you like - Ideal Cuisine:
Salads/ cheeses/ Asian-style dishes with a bit of spice/ sweetness

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 11.5% ABV
Closure: Natural cork
Harvest: 2022
Oak: Fermented spontaneously in stainless steel tanks and matured for approximately 3 months in tank before bottling
Varietals: 100% Riesling
Farming: Regenerative farming practices; specific organic or sustainability certification not confirmed
Vineyard Area: 60% Casey's Ridge Vineyard, Elgin, on loamy, rocky red slate soils, planted in 2011 with Riesling clone WR110F; 40% De Rust Vineyard, Elgin, on decomposed Bokkeveld shale, planted in 2006 with Riesling clones 110 and 239
Vinification: Crafted by Jessica Saurwein from hand-picked Riesling grapes harvested during the long, cool 2022 growing season. The grapes are cooled, hand-sorted, destemmed and pressed before spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks for approximately six weeks, allowing the fermentation to stop at the desired balance of fruit sweetness and acidity. The wine displays fragrant aromas of citrus blossom, yellow stone fruits, white pear, ginger, pineapple, honeysuckle and flint. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with juicy fruit, lively acidity, a textured mid-palate and a precise, refreshing finish. Residual sugar: 11.5 g/L; total acidity: 7.2 g/L.
Winemaker: Jessica Saurwein
Region: Elgin, Cape South Coast, Western Cape, South Africa

Serving Temperature: 8–10°C
Decanting: Not required; serve chilled
Food Pairing: Fresh salads, seafood, grilled prawns, goat's cheese, sushi, Thai cuisine and Asian-inspired dishes with a touch of spice or sweetness.