This barrel-fermented South African Chardonnay is a masterclass in balance and texture. Sourced from premium vineyards and fermented with indigenous yeast, it offers layers of citrus, white blossom, passion fruit, and honeyed melon, framed by subtle French oak. Eleven months on the lees brings creamy depth, while a fine mineral line and gentle salinity add structure and length. Reminiscent of a refined Meursault, it’s a wine for lovers of elegant, expressive Chardonnay. If you value terroir-driven wines with complexity and finesse, this one deserves a place in your cellar.
The 2022 Chardonnay was crafted from hand-selected grapes sourced from three premium sites: a high-altitude slope on the Banhoek side of Simonsberg Mountain, a cool-climate vineyard in Franschhoek, and a mineral-rich block in Stellenbosch’s Polkadraai ward. Harvested in the cool early morning, the grapes were whole-bunch pressed, with the juice settled before being transferred to 225L French oak barrels—17% new, the rest second-, third-, and fourth-fill—for fermentation. The wine was 100% barrel-fermented using wild indigenous yeast, with extended lees contact and daily bâtonnage to build texture and depth. Approximately 30% underwent malolactic fermentation, adding a refined creaminess while maintaining crisp natural acidity. The result is a beautifully balanced, terroir-driven South African Chardonnay with elegance, minerality, and a long, expressive finish.
Winemaker: Thierry Haberer
Winemaker: Thierry Haberer
Located in the top, southern-most corner of the Franschhoek Valley, in the embrace of its spectacular mountains, the 22 hectare Holden Manz Wine Estate is situated between the Franschhoek River and Stony Brook at 300 meters above sea level. An exclusive grower of red grapes, the Estate only cultivates its top 16 hectares under vineyards, notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot resulting in the production of ultra-premium wines made for the discerning wine connoisseur.
