Few producers capture vineyard, vintage, and vision as gracefully as Thistle & Weed. The brilliant collaboration between viticulturist Etienne Terblanche and winemaker Stephanie Wiid has now passed the 10-year mark, and because you appreciate great Chenin, we just had to tell you about these wines.
Thistle & Weed humbly delivers some of South Africa’s most honest single-vineyard Chenins. The trio of Chenins showcase regional identity with confidence. From the cool, old slopes of Simonsberg, the Brandnetel 2024 proves to be one of Tim Atkin’s favourites of the range year after year. A wine of ‘notable length, granitic energy and engaging pear and lemon zestyness’, notes Atkin scoring it 95 points.
On the sheltered slopes of Paardeberg, Springdoring 2024 is a wine made for the long haul. It shines with reductive flint, razor-sharp citrus, and that waxy, earthy Swartland finish that we love.
In Paarl, the gnarly Joostenberg bush vines yield Duwweltjie 2024, a wine that Atkin loves because it is ‘textured and voluminous’. It is also the most charming of the set, with ripe citrus and peach aromatics, it offers remarkable freshness and vibrancy.
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Wiid was named Tim Atkin’s Young Winemaker of the Year in 2024, while Terblanche was promoted to head viticulturist at Vinpro. With high acclaim from Platter’s, Atkin, and Winemag, Thistle & Weed continue to prove themselves as intentional producers crafting smart wines and we cannot wait for the next decade from them. To shop the full range, including their awesome blends, please click here.
Tasting Notes:
Thistle & Weed Brandnetel Chenin Blanc 2024
‘Generally my favourite of the Thistle & Weed Chenin Blancs, this comes from two old-vine parcels on the Simonbserg. Tangy, focused and refreshing it has engaging pear and lemon zest fruit, a hint of exotic sweetness, negligible oak and lots of granitic energy. 2025-30.’ – Tim Atkin, 95/100
Thistle & Weed Springdoring Chenin Blanc 2024
‘Springdoring is one of a trio of Chenin Blancs from Stephanie Wiid, sourced from white granite soils on the Malmesbury side of the Swartland. Earth, fennel and petrichor aromas are an intriguing introduction to a palate of wet stone, green apple and citrus, with acidity that slices your palate like a knife. 2026-30.’ – Tim Atkin, 93/100
Thistle & Weed Duwweltjie Chenin Blanc 2024
‘Duwweltjie comes from gravel and clay soils on the Joostenberg farm in the low part of Paarl and is the richest of the Thistle & Weed Chenin Blancs. Textured and voluminous, but still refreshing on the palate, it has pear and stone fruit flavours, a touch of wood and enough acidity to drive and freshen the finish. 2025-29.’ – Tim Atkin, 94/100
