10 June 2026 turned out to be a perfect day to launch a new vintage on a hilltop with 360-degree exposure to the elements. It didn’t start out that way though… That’s why the du Bois family of Sonop farm – in true ‘Boer maak ‘n plan’-fashion – had a Plan B and probably a Plan C in reserve for the occasion. The occasion being the launch of the Du Bois Vineyards Sonop Chenin Blanc 2025; only the second vintage of their maiden wine.
The du Boises trace their local history back to François Gustave du Bois’ arrival on the Cape West Coast. Fittingly, for a man whose name means “of the forest”, he was sent ashore to collect timber. He liked what he saw and decided to stay on. Now, fast forward a few generations to 1931, when Nicolaas du Bois, after serving as a viticulturist at Uitkyk, purchased a farm in the Koelenhof area. He set about growing outstanding wine grapes; something his descendants still do.
Nicolaas considered naming the farm ‘Windheuwel’ (Wind Hill) – which partly explains the trepidation about the hilltop wine launch – but instead opted for ‘Sonop’ (Sunrise) in recognition of how the morning sun lights up the hill’s slopes.
That is also where invitees to the launch gathered – in the morning sun in front of the farm house – with four generations of du Bois in attendance. After a brief welcome and a measure of MCC, ‘plaasbakkies’ provided the transport up the hill – past block after block of meticulously kept vines. (It’s little surprise that several top wine producers source grapes from Sonop farm.)
At the summit, a long table had been set up earlier in that morning – once it was clear that Plan A was viable! Decorated with dried-out gnarled vines and broken stones from the nearby vineyard and hugging the edge of the hilltop reservoir with clear winter skies overhead, it will go down as one of the more memorable table settings we’ve ever encountered. Nearby the culinary team from Hygge Restaurant had set up their braai station and were busily preparing lunch.
With the 2024 Sonop Chenin Blanc poured, winemaker Gabriël du Bois (Jnr) and his viticulturist brother, Jacques, provided the necessary background. Their father, Gabriël (Gawie) du Bois Snr, prefers to stay out of the limelight and let the results of their work speak for themselves.
Once seated, the much-anticipated 2025 vintage was poured. Fittingly the grapes came from two single blocks, right next to the reservoir, planted in 1982 and 1986. Ranging from 240-280m in elevation they are positioned to receive early morning light and consistent airflow throughout the growing season. Planted in red and blue shale over fractured clay they provide fruit of exquisite balance and clarity.
Cellar treatment, including maturation in 500l old barrels, was restrained with the emphasis on preserving the fruit’s site expression. The result is a pale gold wine with a delicate floral and peach aroma with hints of spice. On the palate it offers apple and pear, grapefruit and peach with a saline minerality and full, old vineyard texture. Beautiful already, this wine will shine even brighter after a few years of cellaring.
For now, Sonop farm isn’t open for tastings and the du Boises prefer to focus on doing what they do best, which in their words is to “translate the voice of the earth into something you can pour.”
Text: Editorial Desk | Images: Editorial Desk & Supplied
