Autumn-brown vine rows, a farmhouse under red leaves and steep rock faces

Grape variety · White

Chardonnay

On the R317 between Robertson and Bonnievale stands a tasting room modelled on a Cape Town townhouse of 1791. The estate behind it calls itself the House of Chardonnay.

This is De Wetshof, the first registered estate in the Robertson Valley. The tasting room copies the Koopmans-De Wet House, the cellar the First Customs House in Cape Town, both designed by Louis Michel Thibault. The estate sees itself as one of the pioneers that brought Chardonnay into the country. The valley's soils are rich in lime; Graham Beck speaks of the richest natural limestone deposits in the Western Cape, which give low pH and natural acidity.

of South Africa's vineyards, SAWIS, as of 31 December 2025
7.6%
of Chardonnay nationwide
6,574 ha
in the Robertson Valley, the largest area in the country
1,746 ha
in the Paarl statistical region with Franschhoek and Wellington
1,164 ha

SAWIS counts exactly 6,574 hectares of Chardonnay nationwide at the end of 2025, 7.6 per cent of the vineyard area. Robertson has the largest area in the country with 1,746 hectares, followed by the Paarl statistical region with Franschhoek and Wellington (1,164) and Stellenbosch (994). WOSA reports a lot of experimenting with barrel fermentation and oak. That is why labels often say Unwooded or Barrel Fermented. According to stellenbosch.net, unwooded Chardonnay goes with fish and salads, wooded with poultry and cream sauces. The grape is also a base wine for Cap Classique.

Springfield near Robertson bottles a Wild Yeast Chardonnay, fermented with wild yeast. In Franschhoek, Haute Cabrière focuses on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. And at Delaire Graff on Helshoogte Pass, the Banghoek Chardonnay 2023 was named Best White Wine Overall at the Investec Trophy Wine Show.

Our tipDe Wetshof offers a Private Library Tasting of older vintages, which you book in advance. Ask about opening hours before you visit.

Chardonnay to order

AdvertisementAll product links are affiliate links to wine merchants based in Germany, who deliver to Germany and parts of the EU. If you buy through them we receive a commission; the price stays the same. Price, shipping and delivery time are set by the shop. Prices as of 23 September 2026

Chardonnay: frequently asked questions

Where does South Africa grow the most Chardonnay?

South Africa's largest Chardonnay plantings are in the Robertson Valley, with 1,746 hectares (SAWIS, as of 31 December 2025). The Paarl statistical region with Franschhoek and Wellington and Stellenbosch follow.

What does Unwooded mean on a Chardonnay label?

On South African Chardonnay, Unwooded means a wine made without oak barrels, Barrel Fermented one fermented in the barrel. Unwooded Chardonnay suits fish and salads, wooded Chardonnay poultry and cream sauces.

Which Robertson estate is known for Chardonnay?

De Wetshof on the R317 between Robertson and Bonnievale calls itself the House of Chardonnay. It is the first registered estate in the Robertson Valley and sees itself as a pioneer of the grape in South Africa.