Corymbia is the deep-rooted, far-sighted vision of husband-and wife-team, Rob and Genevieve Mann. The Mann name is synonymous with Western Australias Swan Valley, where Robs pioneering grandfather Jack worked a remarkable 51 consecutive vintages for Houghton. Rob was just a boy when he joined his father - former Australian test cricketer Tony - in planting the vines on what is now the dry-grown, organically farmed Corymbia vineyard. Organically dry-grown fruit from vines planted more than 25 years ago on the Houghton loam soils of what was an old currant vineyard. The grapes were harvested by hand on 31st January 2018, 5th February 2018 and 6th February 2018, and then whole bunch-pressed prior to natural fermentation. A portion was matured in seasoned French oak barriques for four months prior to blending and bottling. The wine shows distinctive characters of beeswax, beurre bosc pear and oyster shell with a long, vibrant, saline finish.

Chenin is an extremely versatile grape, able to make excellent wines in many different guises, from Late harvest to straw wine to classic dry Chenin and even Methode Champenoise. This example is a wonderfully lively, intense, fruity and beautifully balanced dry Chenin Blanc. Aromas of green apples and white peach invite the juicy, yet taut palate. A depth of fruit is what sets this wine apart. It shows great persistence of flavour and freshness that linger on the palate long after the wine has gone. Very individual, the character of this wine makes it a perfect companion to warm summer days and long balmy evenings. The newest independent winery run by Alex Dale and friends in the Helderberg sub-region, is an emerging star on the Cape wine scene producing wines of complete quality, yet expressing their individuality. John Platter the doyen and king maker has already tabbed them as 5 star winemakers.