Missionvale Chardonnay

Rich poultry including game birds, fish and pasta dishes. Also pairs with soft cheeses. The Squash vegetable families works well. A creamy prawn stroganoff will complement the texture of the wine, while a simple Waldorf salad remains a favourite. Fresher styled cheeses, like grilled halloumi or chevre.

Moderate and mild winter weather was experienced, with average rainfall, which continued into spring and early summer. These conditions, ideal for slow and even ripening, was interrupted during the middle of December, with the arrival of some refreshing showers. January saw a continuation of dry and cool conditions, coinciding neatly with an earlier maturity of those cultivars that usually ripen first. During the third week of February, however, a massive 80mm downpour, had set the tone for the rest of the vintage. By the last day of picking, 240mm had fallen since harvest started. Rigorous selection of only ripe and healthy bunches, proved critical. Most vineyards cropped lower than the long-term average, mostly due to adverse flowering conditions.

Grape bunches were pressed whole and juice racked to barrel following a short settling period, without enzyme. These pre-fermentation practices are deliberately oxidative and result in wines that mature without loss of its fresh green tint. Indigenous yeast populations initiate fermentation spontaneously within a few days. Matured sur lie in French oak for 9 months, of which 30% was new. 11% of the final cuvee was fermented and matured in terra cotta amphora. Bottled with light filtration in January 2024.

One of South Africa’s most awarded boutique wine estates lies in a scenic valley just an hour and a half from Cape Town called Hemel-en-Aarde or Heaven-and-Earth. Framed by great fold mountains and breath-taking ocean views it is one of the coolest wine-making regions in the Cape with duplex soil structures and sun-facing slopes. The promise of the unique terroir is harnessed by winemaker Chris Albrecht in slow-ripened flavour-rich wines of exceptional quality. Bouchard Finlayson is globally acclaimed for producing the best Pinot Noir in South Africa as well as exceptional Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. The vineyards are surrounded by an indigenous floral conservancy alive with birdsong and wildflowers. Beyond the beauty of the farm itself you can discover the enchantments of the local area. Some of the popular attractions of nearby Hermanus include whale-watching; shark-cage diving; mountain hiking or biking; browsing art antiques and shops; and of course the white sandy beaches.