Elgin Chardonnay Clonal Selection

The wine's vibrant acidity and mineral profile make it a versatile companion to various dishes. It pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled seafood, creamy pasta dishes, and soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert. Its freshness also complements dishes with citrus elements or light herbal sauces.​

Sourced from 11 small parcels across Elgin, South Africa's coolest wine district, the vineyards benefit from higher altitude, ocean proximity, specific cloud cover sequencing, high cold units, and a large diurnal range. These conditions enable the Chardonnay grapes to express a true sense of place.

The wine matured in barrel for eleven months, allowing it to develop complexity and integrate its flavors harmoniously. This ageing process contributes to its refined texture and depth.​

Each clone and soil type was micro-vinified as separate batches. An algorithm developed by the winemaking team determined the optimal combination of coopers and the proportion of new to used barrels. In 2021, the wine was aged in 100% 228-liter French oak barrels, with an average of 54% new oak, for eleven months.

“Our commitment is to make the best wines possible from the vine clones best suited to our unique terroir. Our grapes are grown in the cool climate vineyards of Elgin in the Western Cape of South Africa. We produce only a very limited number of cases of Kershaw Elgin Chardonnay and Kershaw Elgin Syrah each vintage. Our aim always is to produce some of the best wines of their style in South Africa.” - Richard Kershaw