Chardonnay Reserve

Most types of fish, especially shellfish, also buttery/creamy dishes.

Chamonix Wine Farm is nestled against Mont Rochelle mountain deep within the rich wine-growing valley of Franschhoek in the Western Cape. Formerly part of historic La Cotte granted to the Huguenots in 1688 Chamonix today comprises some 300 hectares. German-born Chris Hellinger purchased the farm in the early nineties when it was predominantly an export fruit farm. With tenacity and vigor a replanting program began steadily replanting fruit trees with noble French varieties of vines and with an engineering background combined with old world principles an underground cellar was built. An underground passage leads one through the cellar up into the Blacksmith’s Cottage built in the late 1700s which now houses the Winetasting Room and Sales. Chamonix has around 50 hectares under vineyard. As purists we have always believed that to produce a wine of character containing all elements of grape unique terroir and process it is essential that only Chamonix grapes are used. Against the mountain our farm benefits from cool breezes during hot summer months and stony clay-rich soil giving our wines the unique personality and character which make up the Chamonix story.

Chardonnay grapes from the Franschhoek region, comes from a one Ha block planted in 2008 on South facing slopes situated in die middle of the farm at 400m above sea level. This vineyard is in the warmer area on the farm.

Matured in French oak for 12 months with 45% being new oak and 35% second fill, 20% fermented and matured in concrete eggs for 12 months. The wine is kept on the lees for 90 days with the lees being stirred once a week.

The grapes are handpicked from a single block of Chardonnay on the estate. The grapes are whole bunch pressed. The juice is settled in stainless tanks for one day. 80% of the juice is fermented.