Essence Chardonnay

This versatile Chardonnay pairs well with a range of dishes, including grilled chicken, seafood like prawns or scallops, creamy pasta dishes, and soft cheeses. Its fresh acidity also makes it a great match for salads and light appetizers​.

The grapes are sourced from select vineyards across the Western Cape, where cool coastal breezes and diverse soil types contribute to the wine’s complexity and fresh acidity. Sustainable farming practices are implemented to maintain the health of the vineyards and ensure high-quality fruit production.

The Fleur du Cap Essence du Cap Chardonnay 2022 is aged partially in oak barrels for a few months, contributing to its balanced oak character without overpowering the fresh fruit flavors. This approach allows the wine to develop a creamy texture and integrate subtle vanilla and buttery notes.

Following hand-harvesting, the grapes undergo gentle pressing to extract the juice. The juice is fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, which allows the wine to maintain its fruit purity while gaining a subtle complexity from the oak. The wine does not undergo full malolactic fermentation, preserving its bright acidity and fresh character. Lees contact is maintained for a few months to enhance mouthfeel and add depth​.

Fleur du Cap (French for “Flower of the Cape”) is greatly inspired by the Cape Floral Kingdom – a wildflower region famed for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity – with each species blossoming in the specific soil and climate best suited to their needs. It is this Cape Floral Kingdom that has greatly inspired our wines to not be defined by a single place or vineyard. Our philosophy is based around the freedom to explore – to find our grapes where they grow best, rather than be constrained by district, farm, climate or even vineyard. Our winemakers have access to the widest geography of vineyards in South Africa. This unrestricted journey across the Cape Winelands is what allows them to craft highly-lauded wines which exemplify regional excellence.