Hans Herzog Viognier 2022

Get to know: Hans Family Estate Viognier 2022

An exceptional South African white wine from meticulously tended old Viognier vines.

Tasting Note

Quince, ripe apricot and juicy white peach rise from the glass, wrapped in honeysuckle and a whisper of Mediterranean herbs. Bright golden in colour, this is a Viognier with impressive presence that never loses its sense of balance. Exotic fruit layers unfold across a silky, full-bodied palate, while a streak of fresh minerality keeps everything focused and lively. Time on fine lees and careful oak ageing add richness and texture without masking the purity of the fruit. The finish is long, elegant and quietly persistent, inviting another sip before you've quite realised your glass is empty.

Top food pairings:

• Fresh ceviche with citrus and coriander
• Thai or Vietnamese dishes with fragrant spices
• Roast chicken, veal or grilled seafood with herb butter

Kate Says

"This is one of those bottles that reminds you why Viognier has such a loyal following. It has all the richness you'd hope for, but there's a freshness running through it that keeps every glass feeling just as exciting as the first."

Producer Info

Hans Family Estate has built its reputation on small-production wines that place vineyard character above everything else. Their Viognier comes from vines planted in 1996, rooted in shallow, sandy gravel soils where warm days and cool nights create ideal conditions for slow, even ripening. Low yields and meticulous attention in both vineyard and winery result in a wine of remarkable concentration, elegance and longevity.

How it's made:

• Varieties: 100% Viognier
• Hand harvested at full physiological ripeness from low-yielding vines producing around 2 tonnes per hectare
• Destemmed, partially crushed berries underwent extended skin maceration before gentle pressing
• Wild yeast fermentation in 500-litre French oak puncheons to express the vineyard naturally
• Fine lees stirred during the first six months, followed by 20 months' maturation in French oak puncheons (30% new); unfined, lightly filtered and not cold stabilised

Good to know:

• Region: South Africa
• Style: White, still, full-bodied
• Closure: Cork
• Vegan: Yes
• ABV: 14.5%
• Vintage: 2022

Why we love it:

This South African white wine shows exactly why Viognier can be so captivating when every detail is right. Rich stone fruit, floral aromatics and beautifully judged oak create a wine with real depth, while its freshness and mineral backbone make it every bit as enjoyable at the table as it is on its own.