Slanghoek
Opstal
Dexter Chenin Blanc
Yellow AppleCitrus ZestPeachEasy Drinking
Meet Opstal →Details
Variety
Chenin Blanc
Style
White
Region
Slanghoek
Appellation
Slanghoek
Producer
Opstal
Country
South Africa
Trade Materials
The Inspiration
At the beginning of 2025, Opstal introduced Dexter cattle into the farming system - small, hardy cattle that graze between the vineyards, naturally controlling weeds, enriching the soil through manure and urine, and contributing to the farm's biodiversity. The Dexter range is a tribute to these cattle and to the regenerative philosophy that now runs from vine to wine. Chenin Blanc is at home in the Slanghoek Valley and at Opstal. Predominantly sandstone soils amplify clarity of fruit in the Chenins, while two further blocks planted on clay and shale add tension and texture for depth - a wine that holds plenty of freshness and brightness alongside genuine layering. 100% Chenin Blanc. Great on its own, equally a strong food partner.
About Opstal
7th generation family farm since 1847
Opstal represents seven generations of family stewardship in South Africa's Slanghoek Valley within the Breedekloof (Slanghoek translates from Afrikaans as "Snake's Corner"), dating back to 1847. Owned and managed by the Louw family, the estate has built its reputation on warm hospitality, beautiful surroundings and quality winemaking in this cooler wine-growing climate that produces fruit-forward wines due to a slower ripening of the vines.
The operation centers on collaboration and continuity. Cellar Master Attie Louw and his brother Zak, who manages production, work alongside their parents, sixth-generation Stanley and Ria Louw. The team is bolstered by farm staff representing three generations of workers, with thirty families residing on the property. This stability creates institutional knowledge that shapes every vintage.
The estate's philosophy blends tradition with gratitude. The pocket-friendly Sixpence range honors both a legendary shepherd and the countless workers whose dedication built the estate's legacy, while the Carl Everson heritage range celebrates the family's winemaking lineage. Rather than viewing winemaking as a solitary pursuit, Opstal explicitly celebrates it as collective achievement: every family member, past and present, plays a vital role in their story. Under Attie Louw's stewardship, Opstal has leant into regenerative farming with a herd of Dexter cattle and an active Cape Nature partnership to preserve the surrounding fynbos, and the estate has earned a growing reputation with many global accolades.
