Description
Vineyard:
These vineyards, located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge within the Walker Bay appellation, are situated near the Atlantic Ocean. The region experiences a temperate maritime climate, where parallel mountain ranges direct southerly sea breezes through the appellation during the summer months. These winds contribute to the frequent presence of sea mists and overcast conditions, promoting more consistent temperatures throughout the valley. The area maintains an average temperature of 19°C, with an annual rainfall of approximately 750mm.
Winemaking:
This Chardonnay blend is sourced from six distinct vineyards, with all grapes meticulously hand-harvested in the cool early morning hours. The harvest took place in six separate batches at the end of February 2024, allowing for greater complexity by capturing both terroir expression and clone variation. Early picked grapes contribute a perfumed green citrus fruit profile, while later harvests add depth and complexity to the palate. To preserve delicate flavours and aromas, the grapes were pressed at low temperatures. The juice was then left to settle for 24 to 36 hours at 10°C before being racked off the lees into carefully selected 500l Burgundian Oak puncheons. The juice was allowed to naturally warm, initiating spontaneous secondary fermentation. Spontaneous fermentation continued until dryness was achieved. The wine was then matured on the gross lees in barrel for nine months with minimal stirring, enhancing texture and depth. One month prior to bottling, the final blend was carefully assembled.
Producer Profile
At La Vierge, our wines are rooted in the unique soils of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Our vineyards thrive in clay-rich Bokkeveld shale, where the high clay content retains moisture and cools the roots, ensuring the slow, precise ripening of our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Beneath, mineral-rich shale promotes deep root growth, allowing vines to access essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium. This synergy between the clay’s water retention and the shale’s minerality imparts a refined balance of acidity, texture and depth, all enhanced by cooling coastal breezes, resulting in wines of elegance, clarity and character.
At La Vierge, our wines are a true reflection of the distinctive terroir of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, where a combination of unique soils, climate, and topography converge to create ideal conditions for growing exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The vineyards are situated within a natural amphitheatre, which offers a rare 360-degree exposure to the surrounding weather systems. This geographical feature ensures that each vineyard block experiences a dynamic, yet balanced, interaction with the various weather conditions throughout the growing season, allowing for a nuanced and multifaceted expression of the land.
The soils in this region further enhance the expression of each site. The vineyards are planted in clay-rich Bokkeveld shale, which provides an ideal substrate for vine growth. The high clay content of these soils helps retain moisture, buffering the vines against drought stress, while the underlying shale layers, rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, ensure that the vines have access to essential nutrients. The mineral composition promotes deep root growth, encouraging vines to tap into the subsoil, which contributes to the concentration of flavours and minerality in the grapes.
This interplay of diverse weather conditions, together with the unique soil composition, leads to wines that exhibit exceptional complexity and balance. The clay retains moisture, helping to moderate the vine’s water stress during dry spells, while the shale’s drainage properties prevent excess water retention, maintaining the health of the vines and promoting even ripening. The cooling coastal breezes play a crucial role in preserving acidity and preventing over-ripening, while the warmer pockets within the amphitheatre allow for the slow, consistent ripening of the fruit, ensuring optimal phenolic development and flavour concentration.
The synergy between the clay’s moisture retention, the shale’s mineral richness, and the moderating influence of the coastal climate allows our vineyards to thrive in a manner that is both unique and precise. This combination leads to wines that exhibit elegance, finesse, and exceptional depth, with a well-balanced interplay of acidity, texture, and mineral complexity. Each wine from La Vierge offers a unique expression of this remarkable terroir, reflecting the varied weather influences, soil characteristics, and microclimates of the estate. The result is wines that offer clarity, character, and a profound sense of place – wines that truly capture the essence of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge in every bottle.
