Vino pH "PhD" Méthode Ancestrale Pét-Nat, 2022

This is the second release from the pH ladies.  Pauline had worked alongside Adi Badenhorst for a few years and had a good knowledge of this little parcel of 40+-year-old vine Bukketraube from the adjacent farm to Adi’s Kalmoesfontein.  Pauline and Hanneke enlisted the help of Adi (D in the PhD) for cellar space, a little winemaking assistance, and of course a drinking buddy during the painful disgorgement times. What is Bukketraube?  Well it was established in the late 19th century in Franken, Germany as a cross between Silvaner and Schiava (Trollinger).  It is no longer grown in Germany due to its susceptibility to powdery mildew.  South Africa has more of this grape planted than any other country (217 acres) with the vast majority being in Malmesbury and the Paardeberg. It is muscat-like and makes for a genius pét-nat! The 2022 vintage saw 20% additions each of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, which make it more punchy and crispy.

The fruit was hand-harvested and fully destemmed.  The grapes were placed in separate 29hL concrete tanks and old barrels where fermentation started without any additions on the skins.  After five days the grapes were pressed to temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks where the fermentation continued for another five days.  When the wine was approaching dryness it was bottled to finish fermenting in bottle.  Pauline, Hanneke, and Adi took turns riddling the bottles over five months and the bottles were disgorged in the early spring, with a small addition of wine and sulfur was added post-disgorgement.