Bateleur Chardonnay

The 2021 Bateleur Chardonnay pairs well with rich dishes such as lobster, grilled prawns, and scallops. It also complements creamy pasta, roast chicken, and other poultry. For vegetarian pairings, consider mushroom risotto or butternut squash soup, which will enhance the wine’s creamy texture and acidity​.

The grapes for this Chardonnay come from the Bateleur vineyard, one of the oldest Chardonnay vineyards in South Africa, planted in 1987. Located in the Robertson Valley, the vineyard benefits from gravelly soils rich in limestone and clay, which enhance the wine's minerality and structure. The cool climate, with breezes from Cape Agulhas, ensures even ripening and retention of natural acidity​.

The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, which contributes to its creamy texture and subtle oak flavor. This Chardonnay is built to age well for 6 to 12 years, developing more complex flavors like honey, toasted nuts, and additional depth over time​.

After de-stemming and pressing, the juice undergoes fermentation in French oak barrels, carefully selected to enhance the fruit's natural qualities. Post-fermentation, the wine is aged on the lees for 12 months with regular bâtonnage (stirring), which adds depth, richness, and complexity to the wine's flavor profile​.

The name De Wetshof has been synonymous with the production of fine wines in South Africa since the 1970’s. As the first registered wine estate in the Robertson Wine Valley De Wetshof has become known internationally as South Africa’s eminent Chardonnay House due to the pioneering role it played in introducing this noble Burgundian grape to the country. The De Wet family’s winemaking heritage can however be traced back to 1694 when the first De Wets arrived at the Cape and immediately made a mark on the South African wine industry. Today De Wetshof is one of the few third generation wine estates in South Africa. Here Danie de Wet proprietor and cellarmaster is assisted by sons Johann (viticulture and marketing) and Peter (winemaker).