Van Hunks - Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Chenin Blanc - Swartland, ZA - NV

Notes from the Winery/Importer

Who says white can’t bring the sparkle? This pale-gold fizz is all crisp apple, juicy pear, and a flash of citrus blossom — smooth, vibrant, and just dry enough to keep it seriously refreshing. With a touch less sugar than the Rosé, it’s a lighter, cleaner sip that still packs full flavour. Crafted with proper winemaking methods, then gently de-alcoholised, it’s proof you don’t need the booze to bring the bite.

Notes on the Producer

Jan Van Hunks is a legendary figure known for a fiery spirit for adventure and escaping the ordinary. Always with a pipe packed and drink in hand, he’d stroll through the fynbos and scale the sandstone mountain cliffs in search of the perfect perch. He’d often run into unexpected adventures. But on quieter days, he’d simply kick back and relax on the edge of Table Mountain, smoking his pipe, overlooking Cape Town below. One day, the devil appeared and challenged Van Hunks to, of all things, a pipe smoking contest. The resulting smoke filled the air around Table Mountain and over Cape Town, blanketing it entirely. Legend has it, this day created ‘The Tablecloth’, the local term (like Karl the Fog in San Francisco) for the real-life blanket of fog that often rolls in covering Table Mountain and Cape Town. Jan’s spirit for adventure lives on through the Van Hunks Drinks’ sparkling wines. They’re fun, exist for any occasion, and seek to be accessible to anyone looking to enjoy a glass (or more!). The Van Hunks Drinks journey kicked off in 2020 with an innovative and modern Sparkling Mead (honey wine). This was followed by producing a brut and rosé Cap Classique the following year. Cap Classique is the official South African name for sparkling wine made like Champagne, where the second fermentation (that yields the bubbles) must occur within the bottle that is eventually consumed. This laborious process creates finer bubbles and richer flavors such as biscuit, honey, and marzipan. Van Hunks is made by 14th-generation sparkling winemaker Matthew Krone in the beautiful winelands of Stellenbosch. Krone has been making sparkling wine his entire life, even before he was legally allowed to drink. So even though Van Hunks Drinks is all about fun and creating vibes, the wine itself is seriously tasty.