Beneath The Clouds Chardonnay

This Chardonnay pairs well with dishes such as pork, vegetarian fare, poultry, and rich fish like salmon or tuna. Its balanced acidity and complex flavor profile complement a variety of cuisines.§

The grapes for this wine are sourced from blocks 15C and 15D, situated at an altitude of 430 meters on southeast-facing slopes along the foothills of the Groenlandberg in Elgin. The vineyards benefit from medium-textured gravelly soil with a structured clay layer, contributing to the unique terroir. The cool climate, influenced by the summer southeast wind known locally as the "Cape Doctor," brings in a cooling blanket of cloud that slows the ripening process, leading to better flavor development.

The wine undergoes maturation on gross lees for nine months in a combination of older barrels, larger barrels, and a small component in steel tanks, contributing to its complexity and mouthfeel.

The winemaking approach aims to produce an expressive, aromatic, and lightly wooded style of Chardonnay. Fermentation occurs in older barrels, larger barrels, and a small component in steel tanks. The wine matures on gross lees for nine months, providing balance and texture.

Oak Valley is situated high along the Groenlandberg Mountain Range in one of the coolest wine growing regions in South Africa; Elgin. Attention to detail in the vineyards and our minimalist intervention approach in the cellar is what shapes our cool climate wine styles. Oak Valley’s signature is elegance.