Alvi’s Drift’s Limited Albertus Viljoen Icon Range

Rare and Resplendent – Alvi’s Drift’s Albertus Viljoen Icon Range wines define a special chapter in the winery’s story.

A small final allocation of three Albertus Viljoen Icon range vintages is now quietly circulating through the estate’s trusted network of partners. These wines, produced in modest volumes and released only once they had settled fully into themselves, represent some of the most distinctive expressions to have come from the Alvi’s Drift cellar in recent years, as well as some of the rarest.

Only 491 cases of Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc’s 2023 vintage were produced, alongside 512 cases of the 2022 Albertus Viljoen Chardonnay and a mere 100 cases of the 2020 Albertus Viljoen Bismarck red blend. These numbers speak clearly to the third-generation winery’s ongoing philosophy: to follow the lead of the vineyard, to respect the pace of the vintage, and to bottle only what is warranted.

While limited in scale, the response to these wines has been anything but quiet. The Albertus Viljoen 2023 Chenin Blanc is a remarkable expression, crafted from a 35-year-old heritage vineyard that was carefully selected for this range. This exceptional Chenin Blanc was awarded Great Gold at the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Awards in Spain, a testament to its distinctive quality and character.

With intense forthcoming aromas of vanilla and spice, lemon zest, coconut and honey melon, the remarkable Albertus Viljoen 2022 Chardonnay was awarded 90 Points in the John Platter’s 2025 South African Wine Guide.

With notes of ripe plum, red cherry, pepper, and liquorice, the Albertus Viljoen 2020 Bismarck is a red blend composed of no less than seven grape varietals. This singular wine, named for a beloved family dog, was honoured with a Double Platinum award and a place among SA’s Top 100 in the 2024 NWC & SA Top 100 competition. It was also awarded 90 Points in the 2025 Platter’s South African Wine Guide.

“These are wines that reflect a particular point in our work,” says Alvi van der Merwe, third-generation winemaker. “These bottles remain as markers of what the land has given us, and how we chose to work with it.”

With limited stock of each Albertus Viljoen Icon range wine available, what remains in bottle now forms part of the estate’s record, rather than its future offering. These limited-edition wines are being offered through longstanding partners, selected fine wine merchants, and private allocation clients, with no plans to expand availability beyond these channels.

For collectors, sommeliers, and those who seek out wines that speak softly but linger on in recollection, this is an opportunity unlikely to be repeated – not by design, but by nature.

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