The Mulderbosch Steen-op-Hout Chenin Blanc 2017 recently claimed a top ten position in the fifth annual Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Challenge.
The ten best Chenin Blancs in the country were announced on Friday 31 August at a gala event in Stellenbosch. The challenge drew a total of 159 entries, all tasted blind by a five-member panel, with 27 wines shortlisted for the final top ten line-up. Standard Bank, main sponsor of the challenge, awarded R25 000 to each of the winners with the main purpose that brand owners re-inforce it into social and economic benefits in the workplace.
The wine pays tribute to Mulderbosch’s reputation as pioneers in the industry and since releasing its first vintage in 1992, Mulderbosch has endeavoured to represent innovation and excellence in all areas of the business.
The Steen-op-Hout 2017 was sourced from mature vines predominantly grown in the Stellenbosch area and carefully crafted in the cellar with a 28% barrel-matured component. The result is a richly flavoured and perfectly poised Chenin Blanc reflective of an excellent vintage.
“On any given day you will find a bottle of the 2017 Steen op Hout in my fridge at home. With the news of its inclusion in this year’s Chenin Blanc Awards, I hope it will find a regular berth in others’ fridges too,” says winemaker Adam Mason.
Following the achievement at the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Challenge, Mulderbosch commits to match the Standard Bank prize money and invest the total sum into the establishment of a vegetable garden on the farm. The project aims to promote entrepreneurship amongst the families of the Mulderbosch employees and so forth increase a broader participation within the economy. Candidates will be chosen through a selection process from the family members of our staff, while Mulderbosch will assist them in successfully building and running the project.
“The single biggest obstacle in our beautiful country is the devastating effect unemployment has on our communities through poverty. As much as we all try to create more employment opportunities, the real potential lies in creating a culture of entrepreneurship and self-employment.
This will breed a whole new generation of young business men and women, creating their own future and at the same time building an economy based on small business and family enterprises that is resilient and robust. Through this project we hope to teach the values of business skills to our community,” says Chrianto Oosthuizen, general manager at Mulderbosch Vineyards.
Being part of the Standard Bank initiative reinforces the company’s drive for corporate social responsibility. From its earliest years, Mulderbosch has been dedicated to achieving excellence in winemaking, while the core values of sustainability and social responsibility remains central to the business vision.