This beautiful South African winery is located in the Stellenbosch region, 54 kilometers east of Cape Town. Its name comes from its location in the heart of the mountain. Adjacent to the winery are the vineyards, Hartenberg Estate boasts a total of 150 hectares of land, approximately two-thirds of which are planted with various grape varieties. Nine different soil types have been discovered in the vineyards, resulting in unique harvests. This, combined with the perfect climate in the vineyards, gives the Chardonnay grapes everything they need. The winery also has a long history, founded in 1692 with the goal of producing the finest Stellenbosch wines. And let's be honest, this wine has captured our hearts!
The largest underground wine cellar in Hartenberg
Today, winemaker Carl Schultz is at the helm, and with all his knowledge and experience, they now produce premium wines at the highest level. Once the wines are ready after aging in oak barrels, they are stored in Hartenberg's magnificent and expansive underground wine cellar. This is also the largest in South Africa. Only when the wine is fully ready to drink and in perfect condition are the bottles sold, and we can enjoy this beautiful Chardonnay. But before that, of course, the grapes are grown in Hartenberg's old vineyards. There, they are harvested by hand, and during the harvest, they undergo strict selection.
Wood aging for the Hartenberg Estate Chardonnay
Once the golden juice is obtained through a gentle pressing, the entire wine is aged for a full 11 months in oak barrels. Twenty percent new barrels were chosen to give this wine even more depth. And they succeeded, because this Hartenberg Chardonnay is an intense and full-bodied Chardonnay with abundant oak notes. This is noticeable even upon pouring this white wine. It has a golden yellow color with a yellow shimmer. It smells intensely of tropical fruit with numerous nuances of spice and vanilla. Beautiful flavors on the palate of white pear, tropical fruit, vanilla, and roasted almonds melt seamlessly into the palate. Subtle, integrated oak aromas contribute to a long, creamy finish, supported by a crisp acidity.
2022
