Skerpioen (“Scorpion” in Afrikaans) might be the most offbeat—and quietly brilliant—wine in Eben Sadie’s lineup. It comes from a wind-whipped, limestone-and-sand vineyard just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic, where old-vine Chenin Blanc and Palomino grow side by side in pure beachy chaos.
The 2023 vintage is electric. Lemon peel, green apple, seashells, and dry herbs fly out of the glass, but it’s the texture and tension that make it unforgettable. This is bone-dry, low-alcohol, high-acid white wine with zero fat—think Txakolina meets Jura meets South Africa’s west coast.
There’s no oak, no polish, no tricks—just old vines, biodynamic farming, and a light hand in the cellar. The result is a wine that’s refreshing, cerebral, and totally drinkable all at once.
Skerpioen is perfect with oysters, grilled fish, salty snacks—or anything that tastes better with a sea breeze.