Tasting Notes: 

70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir

The Van Hunks Brut is entirely sourced from Stellenbosch fruit and aged on the lees, within the bottle you’re holding, for 36 months. During this time, the yeast cell walls break down (called yeast autolysis), creating that rich texture and toasty flavors.

This wine is richly textured and mouth-coating, with very fine bubbles. Notes of golden apple, honeysuckle, toasted brioche, pistachio, and almonds shine – and last for quite a while. The texture is spot on, too. The extended lees-aging gives a creaminess that coats the palate adding wonderful complexity far beyond the finish.

Van Hunks Wines: 

Jan Van Hunks is a legendary figure known for a fiery spirit for adventure and escaping the ordinary. Always with a pipe packed and drink in hand, he’d stroll through the fynbos and scale the sandstone mountain cliffs in search of the perfect perch. 

The Van Hunks Drinks journey kicked off in 2020 with an innovative and modern Sparkling Mead (honey wine). This was followed by producing a brut and rosé Cap Classique the following year. Cap Classique is the official South African name for sparkling wine made like Champagne, where the second fermentation (that yields the bubbles) must occur within the bottle that is eventually consumed. This laborious process creates finer bubbles and richer flavors such as biscuit, honey, and marzipan.

Van Hunks is made by 14th-generation sparkling winemaker Matthew Krone in the beautiful winelands of Stellenbosch. Krone has been making sparkling wine his entire life, even before he was legally allowed to drink. So even though Van Hunks Drinks is all about fun and creating vibes, the wine itself is seriously tasty.

Cap Classique aka Traditional Method Sparkling Wines: 

Sparkling wine can only be called Champagne if it is produced in the region of Champagne, France. That being said, the technique of making Champagne, methodé champenoise, is used around the world and is more or less agreed upon as the best method for premium sparkling wine production.

The first step is primary fermentation, aka a base still wine is produced from grapes that are havested early in the season. This base wine is then bottled and additional unfermented juice and yeast is added to the top and then the bottles are sealed with a crown cap. This additional juice and yeast kicks off a secondary fermentation in bottle. During this fermentation the carbon dioxide that is produced as a by product has nowhere to go since the bottle is sealed so instead it is incorporated into the wine, creating the bubbles.

Stellenbosch, South Africa: 

Stellenbosch is home to South Africa’s most developed vineyards from the perspective of both international commerce and tourism. 

Stellenbosch was established in 1679 by Governor Simon van der Stel, making it the second oldest town in South Africa. With its Mediterranean climate and fertile soils, where just about anything can grow, it quickly became the hub for winemaking in the Cape Colony. Under van der Stel’s guidance, Stellenbosch flourished as vineyards spread across the landscape, laying the foundation for what would become South Africa’s most premier wine region.

As the years went by, Stellenbosch’s wine industry continued to evolve and adapt to the changing times. The arrival of French Huguenot immigrants in the late 17th century brought much-needed winemaking expertise and introduced new grape varieties to the region, which elevated the quality tremendously.

The 20th century saw South Africa navigate through the horrific racial segregation and political turmoil introduced by Apartheid. Despite the difficult circumstances, the region’s winemakers persisted, and their commitment to quality winemaking remained unwavering.

Food & Wine Pairing: 

Sparkling wine is a great partner for food. The bubbles can provide a really nice match for foods with excellent texture. Such as anything fried or anything wrapped in puff pastry or phyllo dough. It is also a wonderful compliment to anything that is heavy in butter or cream and of course cheese. Also pairs well with salty foods, even  potato chips! Cap Classique wines tend to be a little fruitier than their Champagne counterparts so wines like this are also great with pork or chicken dishes that play with elements of sweet and sour. 

Shop This Wine!