Mullineux Wines, part of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, is a highly acclaimed winery established in 2007 by husband-and-wife team Chris and Andrea Mullineux. Located in the Swartland region, the winery is based at their organically farmed home estate, Roundstone, in the Riebeeksrivier-Valley ward.

The Mullineuxs are renowned for their focus on expressing the unique terroir of the Swartland, particularly through Syrah and Chenin Blanc. Their winemaking philosophy emphasizes sustainable farming practices and a minimalist approach in the cellar, utilizing indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention to produce authentic, site-expressive wines.

Mullineux has garnered significant international recognition, including being awarded Platter’s South African Winery of the Year an unprecedented five times (2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2023). Andrea Mullineux was also named Wine Enthusiast’s International Winemaker of the Year in 2016. Their portfolio includes the “Signature” range (Old Vines White, Syrah, and Straw Wine), “Single Terroir” wines (Granite, Schist, and Iron Syrahs and Chenin Blancs), and the more accessible “Kloof Street” range.

Variety: 68% Chenin Blanc, 14% Clairette Blanche, 6% Sémillon Gris,
6% Grenache Blanc, 6% Viognier

Vineyard details:
Our 2024 Mullineux Old Vines White is a refined representation of our oldest, sustainably farmed, white wine vineyards, hailing from the ancient granite soils of the Paardeberg mountain. Each of these grape varieties have stood the test of time in this extreme appellation. With vineyards up to 72 years in age and truly expressing unique vineyard characters, having adapted to the terroir over multiple decades. The vines experienced very balanced conditions during the growing season with favorable diurnal temperature changes. The cool evenings resulted in very a gradual ripening phase and ultimately, beautifully concentrated berries.

Dates Harvested:
The grapes were harvested between the 24th January and 16th February with a yield of 3 to 6 tons/ha, which translated to an average of 35 HL/ha.

Winemaking:
Each vineyard for our 2024 Mullineux Old Vines White was carefully harvested by hand to respect the low juice-to-berry ratio inherent to the old vines. After the cool grapes were oxidatively whole-bunch pressed, the juice was allowed to settle overnight. Indigenous yeast saw the wine through its primary fermentation which lasted up to ten weeks and any natural malolactic fermentation was allowed to take its course. The wine was left on its lees in barrel until spring to refine and build on the complex flavours of this signature Mullineux white wine and bottled just before the 2025 harvest.

Maturation:
Each vineyard for our 2024 Mullineux Old Vines White was carefully harvested by hand to respect the low juice-to-berry ratio inherent to the old vines. After the cool grapes were oxidatively whole-bunch pressed, the juice was allowed to settle overnight. Indigenous yeast saw the wine through its primary fermentation which lasted up to ten weeks and any natural malolactic fermentation was allowed to take its course. The wine was left on its lees in barrel until spring to refine and build on the complex flavours of this signature Mullineux white wine and bottled just before the 2025 harvest.

Bottling Date: 8 January 2025
Production: 37 850 bottles / 3 154 cases and 100 magnums
Wine of Origin: Swartland

Technical Details at Bottling:
Alcohol 13.5 % – RS 2.2 g/l – TA 5.50 g/l – pH 3.29

The incredible texture and backbone of this Swartland wine is brought by the low yielding, deeply rooted old-vine Chenin Blanc. The Clairette Blanche and Grenache Blanc add layers of salinity and freshness, while the Viognier and Sémillon Gris add to its inviting aromatics. Upfront aromas of fresh grapefruit zest and powdered ginger follow through to a complex palate with layers of white pear and nectarine, finishing with a long lingering, vibrant acidity. It is best served at 10 to 12 °C and will benefit from ageing. This wine is a vegan friendly wine.

Winemag – 95 points