The Winery of Good Hope - Unoaked Chardonnay - 2025
Country
South Africa
Region
Western Cape
Appellation
Stellenbosch
UPC
8 54954 00017 9
Terroir
A blend of Chardonnay from two complementary locations. The first, smallest component, comes from Ocean-facing Helderberg vineyards; the second from the Robertson Valley. Each vineyard contributes a complementary and entirely different facet to the eventual blend. The fruit from Stellenbosch has more depth, weight and fruit concentration while the Robertson grapes are grown on limestone soils, which inject a citrus zing, freshness and minerality into the wine.
Vinification
Separate parcels were picked individually at varying degrees of ripeness in order to build good complexity of acidity, fruit, depth and minerality. The grapes were vinified with minimum skin contact, using free run juice only. Cool fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, one part with wild natural yeast, the other with neutral yeast (favoring fruit enhancement). No oaking took place at all. The juice was kept in tank on its lees for 5 months, with occasional batonnage. The components were then blended relatively early to ensure integration and stability of individual varietal freshness. The focus is always on fruit retention, natural amplification of flavors and texture through maturation on primary lees. The natural minerality and acidity gives this wine the lovely refreshing character for which it has become known.