STELLENBOSCH – For the second consecutive year, Johan Jordaan, cellar master at Spier Wines, was named the Master Chenin Blanc Winemaker at the prestigious Master Winemaker 100 announcement in Paris, France, on Monday 9 February.
The award positions Spier as one of the world’s leading producers of chenin blanc and confirms South Africa’s continued excellence in the varietal. This extraordinary achievement follows the outstanding performances by two Spier chenin blanc wines in the 2025 Global Wine Masters competition.
The Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2023 received competition’s highest honour, the Grand Master Award, while the Spier Seaward Chenin Blanc 2024 earned a Master Award – one of only three wines to achieve this distinction.
Organic principles
Reacting to the news, a delighted Jordaan said the recognition reflects Spier’s long-term commitment to intentional winemaking. “We plan the wine from the soil to the glass, marrying terroir with the style of wine we intend to make,” he explained.
“Central to our winemaking philosophy is soil regeneration, nurturing living and resilient soils that support vine health over the long term rather than pursuing short-term yields. This approach aligns with Spier’s broader commitment to farming practices that restore ecosystems, encourage biodiversity and allow vineyards to express their natural character.”
Jordaan, became cellar master in 2021, believes success lies in building wines of integrity, shaped by place, patience and commitment to the soil.
“In the case of chenin blanc, the Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc is crafted from a certified Old Vine carrying the history of the many hands that have nurtured the vines over decades,” he said.
“Exceptional chenin blancs involves the effort of many people and it’s for this very reason that this recognition belongs to our entire team. It’s truly a proud moment for all of us!”
Also read: A toast to Chenin Blanc and Spier’s Master Winemaker
To achieve consistency and precision across vintages, Jordaan employs a modular approach to winemaking, dividing single vineyards into smaller, carefully managed lots.
This allows him to respond to subtle differences in soil, aspect and seasonal conditions, ensuring each component is treated on its own merits before blended.
The grapes for the Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2023 were hand-picked from old vine single vineyards in the hills of the Tygerberg.
The vintage was shaped by cooler, wetter conditions late in the season, requiring careful selection and multiple harvest passes to protect fruit quality and freshness.
The result is a wine of refined elegance, with fresher acidity and finer texture. The final blend was matured for close to a year in new- and second-fill oak barrels.
Ripe, juicy pear, peach, litchi and melon aromas are balanced with notes of citrus rind and white coriander spice. The palate is generous yet finely balanced, with bright, integrated acidity lifting a concentrated fruit core.
Textured and elegant, the finish is long and complex, with the freshness and structure to reward careful cellaring.
The Spier Seaward Chenin Blanc 2024 was shaped in the dryland farmed vineyards situated in the Tygerberg Hills, where cool breezes ensure optimal ripening. Lush apricot, ripe peach and notes of floral and honeydew lead into a complex palate of ripe fruit and lingering lime freshness. The juice was fermented predominantly in oak barrels before being matured for six months in a combination of aged French oak barrels.
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