Chardonnay

All grapes were hand-harvested and transported to the winery. Grapes were pressed and allowed to settle naturally. The wine was barrel fermented in French oak (10% new). After fermentation, the wine was matured in neutral oak, with regular lees stirring for a fuller body and balanced acidity.

The harvest started slightly earlier than usual for the Chardonnay vineyards in Elgin and Overberg. Picking slightly earlier gave wines with good acidity and texture. Small berries with thicker than usual skins makes for age-worthy wines. Grapes for this wine are from Overberg, Elgin and Stellenbosch.l The Overberg vineyard is planted on Tafelberg Sandstone, whose stony soils contributed a flinty minerality. The grapes from Elgin add a balancing component of fresh, zesty acidity. The Stellenbosch vineyard is in close proximity to the ocean. Its cooling winds add a saline quality to the final wine.

After 9 months, the wine was carefully racked off the lees. Bottled with minimal fining and filtration.