Description
Haute Cabrière Haute Collection Amphora Chardonnay 2024 is a distinctive Franschhoek white made from one of South Africa’s oldest certified Chardonnay vineyards. Planted in 1983, the block provides the foundation for a wine centered on fruit purity, texture, and mineral definition, with terracotta amphorae used in place of traditional oak maturation.
The nose opens with layers of tropical fruit, citrus, and lime. On the palate, the wine is generous and textured, with vibrant acidity providing freshness and shape. Amphora maturation brings breadth without adding overt oak character, allowing the fruit to remain clear while a mineral line carries through the persistent finish. It would pair especially well with grilled fish, shellfish, roast chicken, or richer seafood dishes.
This is a focused old-vine Chardonnay that combines weight and freshness, offering a distinctive expression of both its historic vineyard and amphora-based élevage.
The nose opens with layers of tropical fruit, citrus, and lime. On the palate, the wine is generous and textured, with vibrant acidity providing freshness and shape. Amphora maturation brings breadth without adding overt oak character, allowing the fruit to remain clear while a mineral line carries through the persistent finish. It would pair especially well with grilled fish, shellfish, roast chicken, or richer seafood dishes.
This is a focused old-vine Chardonnay that combines weight and freshness, offering a distinctive expression of both its historic vineyard and amphora-based élevage.
In the cellar
The Chardonnay comes from a vineyard planted in 1983, recognized as South Africa’s second-oldest Certified Old Vine Chardonnay block. The grapes were hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed, with the juice allowed to settle for 24 hours before being transferred to terracotta amphorae. The wine matured in amphora for 12 months, allowing gradual oxygen exchange while preserving fruit purity and developing texture. Gentle filtration was carried out before bottling to retain freshness and complexity.
Winemaker: Tim Hoek
Winemaker: Tim Hoek
About the Winery
Nestled on the slopes of the Franschhoek Pass, Haute Cabrière is a family-run estate founded in 1982 by Achim von Arnim on land dating back to 1694. Today, the second generation of the von Arnim family runs the winery with a deep commitment to family and community.The estate is globally revered for pioneering Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They craft the flagship Pierre Jourdan Cap Classique range, accessible still blends, and site-specific reserve wines.Carved directly into the mountainside, the dramatic underground cellar utilizes gravity-flow winemaking. Above ground, a glass-fronted tasting room and restaurant deck offer panoramic valley views. Visitors can enjoy seasonal dining, artisanal pastries, or witness the traditional art of sabrage, making it a premier South African lifestyle destination.
