Far From The Crowd Chenin Blanc 2024 – Bruce Jack Bonfire Hill South African Chenin with apple, pear, citrus, and mineral notes, crisp and elegant, at The Wine Box.

Far From The Crowd Chenin Blanc 2025

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KShs1,435 incl. of VAT

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Unlike most Chenin Blanc at this price point, which comes from young, irrigated vines and stainless steel tanks, Far From The Crowd sources from dry farmed bush vines with decades of root depth. Furthermore, the wild yeast fermentation and foudre ageing are techniques Bruce Jack employs across his premium tiers. As a result, the wine achieves a level of texture and mineral complexity that high volume alternatives cannot match. For those comparing textural white options in Nairobi, this Swartland Chenin Blanc offers old vine depth and natural winemaking integrity from a recognised producer at a price point that rivals entry level White Burgundy.

Tasting Notes
Pale gold with green highlights. The nose is layered and evolving. Initially, quince, honeycomb and yellow apple dominate. The old vine concentration is immediate. However, with a few minutes in the glass, wet wool, dried chamomile and a faint petrol note emerge. Furthermore, crushed granite, white pepper and a beeswax trace develop over time. On the palate, the wine is medium to full in weight. The entry is broad and textural. Wild yeast fermentation gives a slightly waxy, savoury mouthfeel before the acidity tightens through the mid palate. Additionally, the foudre ageing adds a subtle, almost nutty complexity alongside flavours of ripe pear, preserved lemon and a hint of ginger. The finish is long and mineral. Crushed stone, honeyed almond and a faint saline trace that persists for 40 seconds. This wine drinks well now.
Food Pairing
At 13% ABV and with medium body and mineral acidity, this Chenin Blanc demands food with weight and complexity. Roast pork belly with apple sauce and pan seared scallops with cauliflower purée are therefore the strongest matches. The wine’s textural breadth and honeyed notes complement rich, fatty dishes without being overwhelmed. Additionally, aged Comté, mushroom tart and butter poached chicken work well at the table. The acidity cuts through richness cleanly. For a Nairobi evening where the occasion calls for a white wine with genuine character, this is the bottle that holds its own. A dinner party, a date night, or a gathering where the menu leans rustic and seasonal. Serve at 10 to 12°C. No decanting required.
What You Need to Know: 
What does this Chenin Blanc taste like compared to Loire Valley examples?
This shares the honeyed, mineral character of Vouvray and Savennières. However, the Swartland warmth gives riper pear and quince than the Loire. The acidity is similarly bright but the palate is broader and more textural. It is consequently more generous in youth than most Loire Chenin.
Is this too savoury for someone who usually drinks fruity Sauvignon Blanc?
If Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is your reference point, this will feel more complex and less overtly fruity. The honey, beeswax and wet wool notes are distinctive. It is consequently a different style entirely. Think of it as a food wine rather than an aperitif.
Should I drink this now or cellar it?
It drinks well now at 10 to 12°C. However, the mineral acidity and wild yeast texture will integrate further through 2027. The optimal window is therefore 2025 to 2027. Not a long term cellar candidate, but it will improve short term.
What food works best with this Chenin Blanc?
Roast pork belly with apple sauce, pan seared scallops with cauliflower purée and aged Comté are ideal. The textural breadth and honeyed notes suit rich, fatty dishes and aged cheese. Additionally, mushroom tart and butter poached chicken work for vegetarian options.
What does dry farmed mean?
Dry farming means no irrigation. The vines rely entirely on winter rainfall and deep root systems. As a result, berries are smaller, yields are lower and flavour concentration is higher. The practice is increasingly rare due to climate pressures.
Does the natural cork affect consistency?
Natural cork allows gradual micro oxygenation, which can benefit textural development over 2 to 3 years. However, it carries a small risk of cork taint. Store horizontally in a cool, dark environment. For a wine intended for consumption within 3 years, the closure is appropriate.
What should I do if this bottle is out of stock?
Our customer service team can help you find a suitable alternative or source the product where possible. Reach out before your event.
How fast can I get this Chenin Blanc delivered in Nairobi?
Nairobi orders placed before 9 PM qualify for same day delivery, typically completed within a 1 hour window. Free delivery applies to orders above KES 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside Nairobi are delivered nationwide across Kenya within 24 to 48 hours.
Vintage: Varieties:

Description

A Chenin Blanc from Bruce Jack’s site specific label, now available in Nairobi, Kenya. The 2025 vintage delivers texture and honeyed depth through old vine Swartland fruit and wild yeast fermentation.
Far From The Crowd is Bruce Jack’s site specific, small batch label. The wines come from cooler and more marginal pockets of the Western Cape, farmed with minimal intervention. The 2025 Chenin Blanc sources from old, dry farmed bush vines in the Swartland. These vines have never been irrigated. Consequently, their roots reach deep into subsoils, extracting mineral complexity that younger, irrigated vines cannot replicate. The 2025 growing season in Swartland was warm and dry. As a result, the old vines produced small berries with thick skins and intense juice. Additionally, the winemaking team employed wild yeast fermentation and ageing in seasoned French oak foudres. The large foudre format adds subtle texture without the vanilla or toast of small barriques. There is no fining. Light filtration only. The wine is bottled as close to its natural state as possible.
Product Facts
Vintage: 2025
Producer: Bruce Jack (Far From The Crowd)
Country: South Africa
Region : Swartland
Vineyard: Old vine, dry farmed bush vines in the Swartland
Grape Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine Style: Medium to full bodied, textural, mineral driven
ABV: 13%
Production Method: Hand harvested. Whole bunch pressed. Wild yeast fermentation. Aged in seasoned French oak foudres. No fining, light filtration
Closure: Screw Cap
About The Winery
Bruce Jack established his eponymous winery in the Hemel en Aarde valley in 1994. He built his reputation on site specific Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from cool climate Cape sites. The Far From The Crowd line extends that philosophy to more accessible price points, sourcing from old vines and marginal sites across the Western Cape. The Swartland, north of Cape Town, has emerged as South Africa’s most exciting region for Chenin Blanc. Bruce Jack was among the first premium winemakers to champion its old vine material. For buyers in Kenya, Far From The Crowd represents an entry into his broader portfolio. A label that carries the same winemaking rigour as his reserve tiers, but at a price that works for everyday drinking. A name that carries weight from Hermanus to Nairobi.
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We deliver anywhere* in Kenya and Orders outside of Nairobi will attract delivery charges, which will be calculated based on the cart size and your location. Orders outside of Nairobi are delivered through a logistics partner Fargo Courier.

*Please note that conditions apply to deliveries to Lamu and some coastal regions.

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