Mercator

Serve with traditional Bouillibaise and fresh crusty bread.

The vineyards (from which we harvest our Chardonnay) are situated on level ground on Môreson Farm (in Franschhoek, South Africa). This specific vineyard experiences warm and windy conditions. These conditions result in quick ripening and intensely flavoured grapes.

The Premium Chardonnay is never racked and it is kept on its lees for the duration of its maturation. Batonnage takes places once a week for six months. The wine is matured in a combination of 50 % new French oak, and 50 % second and third fill barrels for 12 months. No Sulphur is added at any time during our process. After 12 months of maturation the Premium Chardonnay is racked to the tanks for settling and blending.

We rely on minimalistic winemaking techniques. The Chardonnay grapes are whole-bunch pressed; only extracting 550 liters per ton of grapes, after which the juice is transferred to the tanks for settling. The juice is partially settled for 24 hours. The juice is then transferred to 300 liter French oak barrels for fermentation. Here the juice undergoes wild fermentation, which in 2010 only lasted seven days. After fermentation Malolactic fermentation takes place. This can last for between one and two months.

Môreson holds the most special place in my heart. I along with my three siblings grew up here. The four of us spent years playing farmer on our plastic tractors some of us clearly more genetically suited to this role than others. We lived by a few simple rules: if it was high it was meant to be climbed; if it was a fruit or looked vaguely edible it was meant to be eaten; and if there was even a ray of sunlight we’d still be out exploring every part of Môreson. The four of us have long outgrown the plastic tractors. I’ve graduated to real-life farming equipment. My brothers – Blake and Dane – have replaced man-made tractor noises with our global wine sales. And my sister Charley (our resident free spirit) has (for now) managed to elude the family business. When the four of us get together on the farm (which doesn’t happen as often as we wish it did) we’re reminded of just why we love Môreson so much. It is a place children spend hours splashing around the water features and exploring just like we did so many years ago. It is a farm where families’ lounge over long lazy lunches. It is a winery where wines are patiently and lovingly crafted from vines that have grown for years. It is our home and we feel privileged to be able to share it with you.