Sans Barrique Chardonnay

Another versatile offering, equally suitable with appetisers or main course. Works exceptionally well with creamy mushroom pastries, goat’s cheese or a smooth vegetable soup. Delightful with simply grilled or poached fish with butter and parsley or with moules marinière.

Moderate and mild winter weather conditions was experienced, with average rainfall, which continued into spring and early summer. These conditions, ideal for slow and even riping, 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, 240 mm had fallen since harvest started. Rigorous selection of only ripe and healthy bunches provide critical.

The wine undergoes no malo-lactic fermentation, adding further to its fresh appeal, with a 6 month maturation period ‘sur lie’ building a rich element into the palate. Apart from a small percentage of estategrown fruit, included for added depth and complexity, the majority of this wine is from the Elandskloof ward.

Bunches are pressed whole and transferred to tank for cold settling over 36 hours. Only the clarified juice is fermented in stainless steel, where a long, cool fermentation encourages the development of a full spectrum of flavours.

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.