Equinox Chenin Blanc Skin Macerated White

Growing up on the southwest coast of South Africa, surfing and enjoying the ocean, Namibian-born winemaker and winemaker MC Stander entered the wine scene almost by chance in 2006. Quickly choosing to s Moving away from large-scale production, MC realized his passion for natural winemaking and organic farming at Joostenberg Wines. In 2018, still drawn to a more minimalist approach to wine, MC founded Equinox Wines . In collaboration with Swartland winemakers, he aims to create wines that are both balanced and natural. Inspired by the Beaujolais region of France, he uses practices such as carbonic fermentation, whole clusters and skin maceration, with the aim of creating fruit-based, digestible wines representative of their terroir.

The name ” To Maike and the Rest ” was inspired by the loss of a friend named Maike and represents a testament to our journeys in life, the friends we share them with and those who are no longer with us. Here is a Chenin Blanc grown in Paardeberg, in the Swartland region, where these old vines root in granite soils under a sandy top layer. The wine is made through a short maceration and fermented in 100% whole bunches. ​The philosophy is to use the fewest chemical inputs as well as a minimum of added sulfur, from grapes picked early for greater freshness. The resulting wine is naturally acidic and less alcoholic, then aged in small used oak barrels. This reveals intense notes of quince , tangerine peel , kumquat , ripe apple , orange blossom , beeswax , mineral scents and sweet spices . The palate is fresh, saline, textured and complex.