As South Africa celebrates #DrinkChenin Month and prepares to raise a glass on #DrinkChenin Day on 13 June, Groot Phesantekraal is inviting wine lovers to experience the country’s signature grape variety in a fresh and unexpected way.
Leading a newly launched collection of wine cocktails created in collaboration with flavour innovator Julian Short, better known as The Flavourist, is The Garden Party – a sparkling Chenin Blanc cocktail that captures the bright, expressive character of the cultivar while embracing a more contemporary approach to wine enjoyment.
Inspired by the classic French 75, The Garden Party combines Groot Phesantekraal Sparkling Chenin Blanc with delicate botanical notes to create a cocktail that is vibrant, floral and effortlessly refreshing. Designed as an aperitif-style serve, it offers a playful new take on one of South Africa’s most celebrated varietals.
“Wine has so much to offer as a cocktail ingredient,” says Short. “It brings freshness, texture, acidity and a real sense of place. Chenin Blanc, in particular, is incredibly versatile. It has energy and vibrancy that translate beautifully into cocktails while still allowing the wine’s character to shine through.”
Short is a Johannesburg-based bartender, bar owner and creative, best known as the co-owner of Sin+Tax, one of South Africa’s most acclaimed cocktail bars. His work spans cocktail development, consultancy, staff training and international guest shifts, all centred around flavour, storytelling and a distinctly South African perspective.
The Garden Party forms part of a collection of six wine cocktails developed for Groot Phesantekraal, each inspired by a different wine from the farm’s portfolio and connected to a unique story from the estate. The Chenin Blanc cocktail was selected as the collection’s first feature for June in honour of #DrinkChenin Month.
For Groot Phesantekraal winemaker Richard Schroeder, the project offered an opportunity to see the farm’s wines through an entirely new lens.
“This collaboration challenged us to think differently about how people engage with wine,” says Schroeder. “The Garden Party is approachable, expressive and joyful, but at its heart it still celebrates the quality and character of the Chenin Blanc. It is a wonderful way to mark #DrinkChenin Day and showcase the versatility of the variety.”
The Garden Party is accompanied by a cinematic micro film produced by Crave Concepts. The short film captures the beauty of the farm’s gardens, vineyards and welcoming hospitality through a playful visual narrative that mirrors the cocktail’s bright and uplifting personality.
While wine cocktails may feel contemporary, the idea itself is far from new. Wine has long been infused with botanicals, mixed with spices and enjoyed in celebratory serves across cultures and centuries. The Garden Party continues that tradition, offering a modern interpretation rooted in South African wine culture.
As Chenin Blanc enthusiasts celebrate #DrinkChenin Day on 13 June, Groot Phesantekraal invites them to discover a different side of the variety – one that is creative, social and made for sharing.
The Garden Party is available at Groot Phesantekraal’s tasting room and restaurant until the end of June.
THE GARDEN PARTY RECIPE
Bright | Floral | Citrusy | Sparkling
SPEC
- 25 ml Gin
- 20 ml Honey water (3:1)
- 25 ml Fresh lemon juice
- Top with Groot Phesantekraal Sparkling Chenin Blanc
GLASS
Flute or wine glass
ICE
Cubed
GARNISH
Lavender sprig
TECHNIQUE
Shaken
METHOD
- Add the gin, honey water (see recipe below) and fresh lemon juice to a shaker tin with ice.
- Shake for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Fine strain into a flute or wine glass.
- Top with Groot Phesantekraal Sparkling Chenin Blanc.
- Garnish with a fresh lavender sprig.
PREP: HONEY WATER (3:1)
Yield: ±750 to 850 ml
Prep Time: 10 min
INGREDIENTS
- 750 g Honey
- 250 g Hot water
- 5 g Fine salt
METHOD
- Add the honey to a pot.
- Add the hot water and salt.
- Stir until fully dissolved and evenly combined.
- Allow to cool fully.
- Bottle, label and refrigerate.
July will feature the next drink in the series, The Oubaas, featuring Groot Phesantekraal’s Sauvignon Blanc.
For more information, go to https://grootphesantekraal.co.za/pages/cocktails.
