Chardonnay

Seared trout & oven roasted baby potatoes, salted with butter and rosemary.

While winter had a late start, it was characterized by good rainfall, leading to an even bud break. A turbulent start to flowering season improved towards the onset of summer. Warmer weather in November contributed to even vineyard growth. A moderate January and February was followed by an initially hot February, while cool and wet conditions dominated from the end of February through March, creating challenging harvest conditions. Despite the wetter than ideal conditions, our microclimate allowed the grapes to achieve ideal ripeness.

After 10 months in oak, the wine was racked to tank, fined and filtered. Fermentation and maturation was completed in a combination of 228L and 300L French oak barrels – one third of which was new oak.

Grapes were hand-picked from two blocks – one planted on darker, alluvial soil and the other on rocky, sandstone soils. The wines are between 12 and 15 years old. Picking was complete in the morning, and grapes were cooled overnight in a cold room, at 8°C. Whole bunch pressing was completed the following morning, and juice was allowed to settle overnight, then racked to barrels for spontaneous fermentation. The wine spent 10 months on the lees, and barrels were rolled once a week to stir the lees.

At Oldenburg Vineyards we believe that great wines can only come from the best quality grapes. Our intervention in the vineyards is minimal to reflect the full potential of our mountain terroir. The Oldenburg Vineyards Series is a true expression of terroir through our range of single cultivar wines. The confluence of the 8 Natural Elements that determine our unique terroir is explored through these wines and their real sense of place. The 8 elements are depicted on the intricate Oldenburg Vineyards Series label design. Wines made in an uncompromising manner intending to showcase the finest characteristics of each cultivar.