Vulpes ‘Chama’ Chenin Blanc 2023

We are delighted to announce the release of a new producer to Ex Animo Wine Co.: Vulpes Wines by Nuschka de Vos. Nuschka was the winemaker at Reyneke in Stellenbosch for many years and has spent a few harvests in Europe. On top of being a great winemaker she is the Cape Town Ex Animo Wine representative.
Most importantly she makes great wine. We were very impressed by her first vintage 2022 released last year, and this year is a step up in quality again. Through her industry contacts she has access to some great vineyards in Swartland, Citrusdal, and Stellenbosch. With her history at Reyneke, it is not a surprise that she is focusing on organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards. Her winemaking is extremely considered and precise. Nuschka favours texture and balance over power and ripeness. De Vos is a Dutch-language surname meaning “the fox”, and Vulpes is the genus name for fox. Each wine is named after a different species of fox.
Volumes are minuscule for the 2023 vintage – although Velox will increase in vintage 2024. The two Chenins are very much in the ‘modern classic’ style – think Alheit, David and Nadia, Mullineux. The Stellenbosch Cabernet is not a traditionally-styled wine (and deliberately bottled in a non-standard claret bottle); it is almost more Cabernet Franc-like in its particular floral and spice character.