Rich Barrel-Fermented Chardonnay from the Piekenierskloof Plateau

The 2022 Piekenierskloof Chardonnay is a beautifully crafted barrel-fermented white wine from the high-altitude vineyards of the Piekenierskloof plateau in South Africa. Made from 100% Chardonnay, this wine combines vibrant fruit with elegant oak maturation, resulting in a layered and complex style.

The wine reveals expressive aromas of ripe stone fruit and fresh citrus, supported by delicate toasted oak notes from twelve months of barrel maturation. On the palate it is rich and structured yet balanced by freshness, delivering a refined Chardonnay with depth and a long, elegant finish.

Wine Overview

Producer: Piekenierskloof Wine Company
Vintage: 2022
Country: South Africa
Region: Piekenierskloof
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 12.4%
Residual Sugar: 2.9 g/L
Total Acidity: 5.7 g/L
pH: 3.63

Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
Cellaring Potential: 3–6 years

Tasting Notes

Aromas

Inviting aromas of ripe peach, apricot and citrus, complemented by subtle toasted oak and vanilla nuances.

Palate

The palate is rich and layered, with stone fruit and citrus flavours balanced by creamy texture and refined oak influence.

Finish

Long and elegant with soft oak spice and fresh acidity, creating a harmonious and well-balanced Chardonnay.

Food Pairing

The richness and structure of this Chardonnay make it an excellent partner for many dishes.

Perfect with:

• Shellfish and seafood dishes

• Fresh oysters

• Asparagus with hollandaise sauce

• Salads with light vinaigrette or tangy mayonnaise

• Vegetarian dishes with aubergine, leeks or peppers

• Goat’s milk cheese

It is also an excellent choice for creamy seafood dishes and roasted poultry.

Vineyard & Terroir – Piekenierskloof

The grapes for this Chardonnay come from a low-yielding vineyard on the Piekenierskloof plateau, harvested toward the end of February.

The vines grow on weathered sandstone soils at around 600 meters above sea level. The vineyard rows are planted north to south, allowing cooling afternoon breezes from the Atlantic Ocean to regulate temperatures during the growing season.

The broader Piekenierskloof plateau, located in the Citrusdal Mountains about 50 km north of Swartland, is known for its warm sunny days and cool nights. This climate allows grapes to ripen slowly while preserving freshness and developing complex flavours.

Many vineyards in this region consist of old ungrafted bush vines planted since the 1960s, contributing character and concentration to the wines of Piekenierskloof Wine Company.

Winemaking

The grapes are hand-harvested early in the morning to preserve their natural freshness and delicate fruit character.

After crushing, only the free-run juice is used. The juice is allowed to settle before fermentation begins with selected yeast.

Fermentation takes place directly in French oak barrels, followed by 12 months of maturation in 300-liter French oak barrels, of which 70% are new oak. This careful barrel ageing adds structure, complexity, and subtle toasted notes to the wine while maintaining its vibrant fruit character.

Why Choose Piekenierskloof Chardonnay?

• Barrel fermented and aged for 12 months

• Matured in 70% new French oak for depth and complexity

• Sourced from high-altitude vineyards in Piekenierskloof

• Elegant balance between stone fruit, citrus and toasted oak

• Perfect with seafood, creamy dishes and vegetarian cuisine

FAQ – Piekenierskloof Chardonnay