Skins Agleam Chenel

The Daredevils’ Drums Chenel “Skins Agleam” is an unusual and distinctive interpretation of the variety – wild, hand-crafted and deliberately outside classic winemaking.

The grapes come from selected parcels of our estate on the Springfontein Rim, just 5 km from the Atlantic. The cool coastal climate, the native fynbos vegetation and the highly alkaline maritime limestone soils shape the wine’s freshness, minerality and distinctive character.

The distinctiveness begins before fermentation: the whole, undamaged berries spend four days in a cold maceration. This gently extracts aromas and a fine tannin from the skins and pips. It gives Chenel an additional dimension that goes beyond the classic interpretation of a white wine.

Daredevils’ Drums is our playground for wild ideas and unconventional methods. Here we deliberately question the rules of cellar work and let ourselves be guided by curiosity, instinct and a love of experimentation. The wine is spontaneously fermented with natural yeasts and then matured for twelve months in a combination of stainless steel, egg-shaped fermentation vessels and French barriques.

The result is a characterful Chenel with floral, spicy and tropical aromatics, fine fynbos undertones, a creamy texture and mineral freshness. The subtle grip adds extra structure, while the restrained acidity provides balance and a long, elegant finish.