Journey’s End V1 Chardonnay 2022

Grapes are subjected to a combination of whole bunch and destemmed pressing. Only free run juice was used to produce this wine which was cold settled before being transferred into a combination of French oak barrels (10% new, 70% second and third fill), concrete eggs (12%) and clay amphoras (8%) for fermentation and maturation. An extended lees contact of 9months with regular battonage was exercised to incorporate mouthfeel. Only 10% malolactic fermentation was allowed to retain balanced acidity, zestiness and freshness. The wine was stabilized using bentonite and is vegan friendly, bottled on 13 February 2023

Chardonnay grapes were hand harvested from blocks 2C, 11 and 16D resting on South facing slopes consisting of Oakleaf and Tukulu soil types. These sites are on the foothills of Sir Lowry’s Mountain Pass and exhibit a unique maritime influence. Elevated at 250m above sea level with a proximity of 7Km from the eastern side of the false bay coastline, cooling coastal winds and extreme diurnal fluctuations allow for longer ripening periods while still maintaining high natural acidity and very apparent salinity.

100% Chardonnay

In 1995 the Gabb family, originally from Shropshire, UK, fell in love with this picturesque wine farm, restoring it to what it is today, now surrounded by 40 hectares of beautiful vineyards. We are incredibly fortunate to be nestled amongst the Schapenberg hills, beneath which lay 350 million year old decomposed granite soils. This creates one of the most prestigious terroirs in South Africa, and is where our vines are planted. As well as fantastic views, our vineyards benefit from the cooling and cleansing south-easterly wind, known locally as the ‘Cape Doctor’, which comes in from nearby False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.