Chardonnay

This medium-bodied and elegant wines is the ideal pairing from grilled fish, shellfish or chicken.

Le Bonheur's Chardonnay vineyards are planted on the higher slopes of Klapmutskop and benefit from cooler afternoons. This is due to the shadow of Klapmutskop, which results in cool and moderate ripening conditions. The vines, which grow in a range of soils, from sandy to limestone or decomposed granite. The average yield is 8 tons per hectare. The 2022 vintage kick-started with ideal Winter conditions. Late rains contributed to even growth providing an excellent foundation for the crop. The season was cool with moderate weather conditions during harvest, slowing down ripening and allowing the vines to develop impressive fruit intensity. The vintage promises to deliver elegant wines with moderate to low alcohol, a fine tannin structure and concentrated flavours.

The grapes were harvested by hand at about 23.5 degrees balling and received no skin contact after crushing. Each vineyard was individually vilified. Thirty percent of the blend was barrel fermented in a combination of Allier and Nevers small oak, with the balance (70%) fermented in stainless steel tanks at 15 degrees Celsius to 16 degrees Celsius. After four months of lees contact, the wine was filtered lightly and the blend assembled.

Le Bonheur has a rich winemaking history dating back to the late 1700s. The estate’s spirit of a journey to happiness dates back to an era when the estate was a trading post for French Huguenots travelling between Cape Town and Franschhoek. The property soon gained a reputation as a lush place of solace and social gathering, which led to the Estate’s name: Le Bonheur, meaning happiness. Today Le Bonheur brings the name it was given by the French settlers to life, by contributing to everyday happiness through simple moments of sharing and enjoying great wines.