Description
Stony Brook Ghost Gum White Chardonnay 2025 is the estate’s flagship white, drawn from two elevated vineyard sites in Franschhoek’s Bo-Hoek valley. It is a Chardonnay shaped by altitude and a cooler-climate profile, balancing oak-led texture with freshness and a distinctly mineral line. This is not a broad, overly worked style. It has richness, but it stays focused, making it especially appealing for drinkers who want Chardonnay with both generosity and control.
The nose opens with citrus peel and a steely mineral note, followed by stone fruit and a gentle caramel tone from barrel maturation. On the palate, the wine is plush but clearly defined, with pear and passion fruit carried by vibrant acidity that keeps the fruit and oak in check. The texture is generous without becoming heavy, and the finish is long, savory, and persistent, with both freshness and depth. It would pair especially well with creamy pasta, roast chicken, or seafood in richer sauces, where its acidity and oak-aged texture can work naturally with the food.
Already highly expressive, this is a Chardonnay with immediate appeal, while its structure and balance suggest it should continue to show well over the next several years.
The nose opens with citrus peel and a steely mineral note, followed by stone fruit and a gentle caramel tone from barrel maturation. On the palate, the wine is plush but clearly defined, with pear and passion fruit carried by vibrant acidity that keeps the fruit and oak in check. The texture is generous without becoming heavy, and the finish is long, savory, and persistent, with both freshness and depth. It would pair especially well with creamy pasta, roast chicken, or seafood in richer sauces, where its acidity and oak-aged texture can work naturally with the food.
Already highly expressive, this is a Chardonnay with immediate appeal, while its structure and balance suggest it should continue to show well over the next several years.
The wine is made from 100% Chardonnay sourced from two estate vineyards, with the fruit picked early to preserve natural acidity and freshness. Fermentation took place entirely in French oak barriques, approximately 40% of them new, followed by 12 months of barrel maturation. This élevage builds texture and complexity while maintaining balance, allowing the wine’s mineral precision and bright fruit character to remain clearly in view.
Winemaker: Craig McNaught
Winemaker: Craig McNaught
In 1995 the McNaught family purchased an old fruit farm, this property is now known as Stony Brook. With a strong focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Chardonnay, the McNaught family replanted the entire farm to vines and built a small cellar in which to produce the first wines under the Stony Brook label. As time has passed, the ideals of Stony Brook have remained firmly in place and the wines still reflect a strong sense of place and passion.
In 2011, the owners were joined by their son, Craig McNaught, who took over the reigns as winemaker.
The latest revelation at Stony Brook has been the introduction of Tempranillo vines to the property, comprising the only component in one of their critically-acclaimed wines, Ovidius.
In 2011, the owners were joined by their son, Craig McNaught, who took over the reigns as winemaker.
The latest revelation at Stony Brook has been the introduction of Tempranillo vines to the property, comprising the only component in one of their critically-acclaimed wines, Ovidius.
