November 6, 2025
Scions of Sinai Granietsteen 2024 - making waves with their Chenin Blanc
2024 Granietsteen - 97 Points - Tim Atkin
“Winemaker and Bordeaux lover Bernhard Bredell is a vanguard for the new wave of Stellenbosch producers alongside the likes of Lukas van Loggerenberg and Kaapzicht’s Danie Steytler. Under his slightly difficult-to-pronounce Scions of Sinai label his roster of wines exploits some of the most propitious sites in a style far removed from the ponderous over-oaked/overripe wines of old. […] If you want to taste today’s South African wines from the top drawer Scions of Sinai comes highly recommended" - Neal Martin, Vinous
A young talent bursting onto South Africa’s fine wine scene, Bernhard Bredell has rapidly made his mark as one of the most exciting voices in Stellenbosch. His label, Scions of Sinai, was born in 2016 from a mission to save the old, dry-farmed bush vines planted by his grandfather on the rugged slopes of Sinai Hill in the Lower Helderberg. A seventh-generation grower, Bredell channels deep family roots and a modern sensibility into creating honest, expressive wines that reflect the unique soils, climate and history of this special corner of the Cape.
Working in tiny quantities and farming organically, Bredell produces wines defined by purity, texture and restraint, far removed from the heavy-handed styles of old. Each vineyard site, whether Chenin Blanc, Syrah, Pinotage or Cinsault, is treated as a living expression of its terroir, yielding wines that hum with energy and transparency. Alongside producers like Lukas van Loggerenberg, Scions of Sinai stands as a beacon for the new generation of South African winemakers, an artisanal project that honours tradition while propelling the Helderberg’s fine wine reputation forward.
Photo: The vineyards on Sinai hill
From a windswept vineyard planted in 1978 on decomposed granite soils on the slopes of the hill of Sinai in the Lower Helderberg, Granietsteen captures the very essence of its terroir. The site sits just next to Alheit Vineyards’ Nautical Dawn, making it one of the Cape’s most revered patches of Chenin soil. Old bush vines, farmed organically and yielding only a few tons per hectare, produce small, concentrated berries that give the wine its intensity and depth. Fermented with native yeasts and aged on lees in old oak, Granietsteen reveals layers of citrus peel, white pear, almond and crushed stone. As Greg Sherwood MW writes, “The Granietsteen Chenin Blanc tastes and smells just like the vineyard from whence it comes!” – a statement that perfectly encapsulates this wine’s sense of place and authenticity. Could there be a more terroir-driven wine than that?
Granietsteen 2024 - 97 TA
Granietsteen 2023 - 96 TA
Granietsteen 2022 - 94 TA
With its shimmering purity and understated complexity, Granietsteen has already achieved cult status among Chenin aficionados and confirms Scions of Sinai as one of South Africa’s most exciting new benchmarks for terroir-driven white wine. The wines are on a clear upward trajectory, with the 2024 vintage receiving its highest score yet of 97 points from Tim Atkin.
Produced in tiny quantities of just a few thousand bottles each year, we’re fortunate to have secured a small allocation of this exceptional Chenin Blanc. We tasted the wines a few weeks ago and absolutely loved them. Give them an hour in a decanter and you’ll be richly rewarded. We’re also offering a special introductory price of €37.50* inc VAT per bottle, as this is a new producer for us and we’d love for you to give the wines a try.
If you love truly authentic expressions of Chenin Blanc, this is one not to miss.
Scions of Sinai Granietsteen 2024
€41.30 inc NL VAT per bottle
€37.50* inc NL VAT per bottle - Special introductory price
97 Points | Tim Atkin MW
"I don't want it to be a collectors' wine," says Bernhard Bredell, but I fear his wish may not come true. This world-class Chenin Blanc from a 1978 parcel on the Sinai Hill just gets better with every vintage. Matured on lees in a 70/30 mix of concrete and foudres, it has remarkable focus and intensity, sea breeze, aniseed and juniper top notes, salty minerality and layers of hay, oyster shell and lemon zest. Bravo! 2027-35
93 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin
The 2024 Granietsteen is 100% Chenin Blanc, dry-farmed bush vines planted in 1978, mostly whole cluster pressed with ten months on the fine lees in foudres and concrete vats. This has a complex nose with almond, walnut and light smoky scents, hints of orange pith surfacing with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. Plenty of tension, quite animated with a touch of white pepper towards the finish, this has a little more vibrancy than the Gramadoelas with long sustain on the finish that urges you back for more. Excellent.
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.