False Bay Chardonnay

An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.

False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.

Vineyards

The grapes for False Bay Crystalline Chardonnay stem primarily from from a single vineyard in Stellenbosch located next door to one of the region's most lauded proponents of this noble cultivar. This coastal vineyard, gives lower yields, smaller berries which maintain their own natural acidity, thus obviating the need to add acid during the winemaking process.

Vinification

Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, fermented spontaneously with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks and then left on lees for a minimum of six months before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly wine from 2018 vintage. False Bay - Real Wine - Coastal Vineyards, Sustainably Farmed, Hand Picked, Naturally Crafted, Wild Ferment, Unoaked.

Tasting Notes

Wild yeast fermentation, low yields and naturally balanced grapes inform this serious unoaked textural Chardonnay with great focus and poise. Classy, with flinty minerality and great purity and restraint. Extended time on the lees adds nutty and toasty notes. Intense yet delicate right through to the finish.

Serve with roast chicken, pasta and creamy sauce or grilled tiger prawns.