Best wine estates for tasting Chardonnay

The story of chardonnay in South Africa started with Danie de Wet of De Wetshof in Robertson who played a pioneering role in introducing this grape locally, believing that it’s the greatest white wine in the world. Since then, chardonnay has become synonymous with De Wetshof.

At De Wetshof there are seven chardonnays on offer, with De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay at the top of the range. The lower-priced De Wetshof Limestone Hill is a firm favourite too. Chardonnay-philes are in for a treat when they visit this estate to taste this range of chardonnays. 

Winemaker Peter De Wet explains that all (their chardonnays) are “site specific to give each a unique identity”. 

De Wetshof chardonnays are consistently doing well all over the world; in the past two years they have received 8 gold awards at the Michelangelo Awards and 5 golds at Veritas. Also, in June 2025 the highly regarded Wine Advocate Robert Parker from America gave 5 of their chardonnays 90+ out of 100. 

Another treat, a visual one, is the buildings on the farm, designed by Louis Michel Thibault, the Cape Colony’s first trained architect. A bit of history is thrown in here too as the cellar façade was based on the Old Customs House, later used as a Granary in Cape Town and the tasting room and offices resemble the Koopmans-De Wet House, the oldest house museum in South Africa, also in Cape Town. 

Private library tastings in the De Wetshof Wine Library can also be booked.

Established in 1864, Rietvallei Wine Estate is one of South Africa’s oldest family-owned wine estates. 

Owner and winemaker Kobus Burger is passionate about chardonnay. He says that “the elegance, complexity and ability of our chardonnay reflect our unique terroir; I also believe that our three Chardonnay offerings namely Rietvallei Chardonnay, Rietvallei Calcrete and John B Brut Chardonnay also show how diverse this wonderful cultivar can be”.

Their Rietvlei Chardonnay expresses their terroir to the fullest; no wonder then that at the National Wine Challenge 2025 the Rietvallei Chardonnay 2023 won a Double Platinum award, the Rietvallei Calcrete Chardonny 2024 a Double Gold.

The Rietvallei tasting room is housed in the original homestead dotted with historic photographs and artifacts that tell the story of the estate’s past.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards is one of the most southerly wine estates in the country; they’re internationally renowned for their classic chardonnays (and pinot noirs) that are sold in more than 50 countries.  

This is echoed by winemaker Emul Ross who says: “Throughout our 45 vintages, our Chardonnay serves as the most pure mouthpiece as an expression of our unique, ancient, and marginal clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soils—its character shines through beyond any winemaker’s influence. Always delivering a wine … with a unique sense of place.”  

According to Tim Atkin, an award-winning wine writer and Master of Wine with over 30 years’ experience in the world of wine, “Hamilton Russell’s excellent chardonnay has been a benchmark for as long as (he) can remember”.

From the beautiful estate of Hamilton Russell with its thatched roof buildings reflecting in the dam on a wind-still day, you head up to the rest of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley. 

At Bouchard Finlayson tastings are conducted in an elegant tasting room where you can sit next to a log fire in winter or enjoy views of the valley below, and the road winding uphill on clear days from the garden. They are specifically known for their award-winning Missionvale, Kaaimansgat and Sans Barrique Chardonnay. 

Winemaker Chris Albrecht believes that "great wine is made in the vineyard”. His role is to “guide the process with as little interference as possible, allowing the site, the soil, and the season to express themselves honestly in every bottle”. 

Over the last year Bouchard Finlayson have received several notable accolades such as consistently doing well in the prestigious Tim Atkin South Africa Report 2024 where the 2023 Missionvale was awarded 92 points, the 2023 Kaaimansgat 93 points and the 2023 Sans Barrique 90 points. In the wine world that translates to outstanding or truly exceptional. 

Apart from wine tastings and pairings guests can do guided vineyard walks at this boutique winery as well as cellar tours by appointment. Light seasonal platters and cheese and charcuterie platters are also available and for the young ones, picnic and treat boxes.

Sitting down for a wine tasting at Newton Johnson you have a spectacular view over the Hemel-en-Aarde valley all the way down to the ocean. 

Winemaker Gordon Newton Johnson has been making their estate chardonnay since 2008. He sees chardonnay as “compelling when it has energy, giving you an impressionists’ experience of natural light”. I just had to pour a glass of chard when I heard this! He continued, “it (has) an elusive quality that great wines share despite the versatility of the variety”.

As described in their tasting notes, the Newton Johnson Chardonnay is “a little popcorn toasty but in a good way – fresh, buttery, salty popcorn” with “golden apples… (and a) mouth-watering tang of lime pickle, salt and tamarind”.

The Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay has consistently been awarded 95 points and above in the Tim Atkin South Africa Report; their Single Vineyard Chardonnay has been one of the top priced chardonnays at the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction over the past three years. 

After your wine tasting head to The Restaurant at Newton Johnson as the food is extraordinary and the ambience laidback.

Ataraxia is Greek for “a serene state of mind, free from worry and preoccupation”; this is exactly how one feels whilst overlooking vineyards, valleys and mountains sipping on award-winning chardonnays at Ataraxia in their chapel-like tasting room called the Wine Lounge.

Kevin Grant, the winemaker and co-owner of Ataraxia, says when they were searching for a name for their new brand more than 20 years ago, he came across the word ‘Ataraxia’ in a pocket dictionary. Everyone involved felt that it truly captured the spirit of the style of wine they envisaged making. In short, “simple, unfamiliar, yet deeply compelling”. 

These wines include three chardonnays, the Estate Black Chardonnay, Earthborn Chardonnay (organic) and Skin Contact Chardonnay.

As far as awards go, Kevin says he has “pretty much stopped entering competitions; ‘sold out’ is probably the best award – or reward” he offers.

Fine wine meets fine art at Ataraxia; the Wine Lounge is adorned with bold, colourful and vibrant contemporary art by Tay Dall, one of South Africa’s leading modern artists.

Creation Wines, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Creation Wines, situated on Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge – the drive there alone is worth it – has been ranked third in the World’s Best Vineyards 2024 and first in Africa.

At Creation Jean-Claude (JC) Martin, the cellarmaster and co-founder, makes chic chardonnays with the winemaking philosophy of “enhancing the beauty of nature” and allowing the winemaking process to “preserve the sense of place”. 

For Creation their “standout must-mention award” is the selection of the Creation Art of Chardonnay 2022 by Decanter’s regional editor for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as one of the top five Wines of the Year 2024. 

Creation Restaurant offers wine tastings and serves breakfast, seasonal pairings or a gourmet tasting menu as well as an la carte menu. An added bonus is rotating art sculpture exhibitions in the garden planted with more than 50 indigenous species. 

Buitenverwachting on the slopes of Constantiaberg is one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms, dating from the 1700s.  

They are known for their full-bodied rich Buitenverwachting Chardonnay with tones of citrus and flintstone on the nose; it pairs well with pork, salmon or tuna, poultry and vegetarian dishes. 

Winemaker Brad Paton who has been at Buitenverwachting for more than 20 years says their chardonnay has become “an ever more popular wine in (their) portfolio” and it “has been known to convert even the ‘anti-chardonnay’ consumers, to start drinking this varietal”.

As far as awards go, he happily proclaims that “our chardonnay is a reward on its own, which is proving to be problematic at times, as it sells out too quickly!”

At Buitenverwachting Estate you will also find a lifestyle gift shop, a cosy café and the Beyond Restaurant. 

The Webb family, owners of Thelema Mountain Vineyards, describe their surroundings as “one of the most beautiful places on earth”. The farm forms part of the Simonsberg mountain range. Given their setting and the view from the tasting room I was not about to argue!

Winemaker Rudi Schultz has been with Thelema for 25 years. He is very enthusiastic about chardonnay and says “it has always been a variety I enjoy working with – it’s honest and expressive”. He adds, “at Thelema we aim to let the vineyard shine, focusing on balance and texture rather than overt winemaking tricks”. 

Recent awards that stand out for him are a gold medal with 95 points for the Thelema Chardonnay 2023 at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2025 and the Thelema Chardonnay 2022 that scored 94 points in the Tim Atkin SA Report 2024. 

At the tasting room their range of Sutherland Vineyards wines from the Elgin Valley, including another chardonnay, can also be tasted.

From Thelema it’s a stone’s throw away to Tokara Wine Estate, also on the picturesque Helshoogte Road outside Stellenbosch. 

Winemaker Stuart Botha says “chardonnay is the quintessential winemaker’s grape (as) it is the most malleable variety in the winery, showcasing both the terroir and winemaking style beautifully”. This leads to classic (chardonnays) with a focus on yellow citrus aromas, crème anglaise and subtle salted caramel.”

The Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2023 achieved a Gold Medal in the Intercontinental Wine Challenge; the soon to be released Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2024 has already garnered a Double Gold Medal by Gilbert & Gaillard.

Tokara has much to offer the visitor: a restaurant with 5-star cuisine, a delicatessen as well as art in their gallery and gardens. Visitors can also go for a walk among the olive groves and vineyards. 

Meerlust Chardonnay is one of the most iconic chardonnays from one of the oldest and best wineries in the country. Meerlust has always been recognized for their world-class wines; it’s been in the Myburgh family since 1756. 

Their old-style, cosy and intimate wine tasting room is one of my absolute favourites in all of the winelands, as is their complex and very appealing chardonnay. The walls are covered with framed art and posters that are utterly delightful and adds to the atmosphere. 

Chardonnay was first introduced to Meerlust by their first cellarmaster, Giorgio Dalla Cia; the first vintage produced was in 1995. Cellarmaster Wim Truter and winemaker Altus Treurnicht attribute the success of their chardonnay to “a unique coastal influence (that is) evident in the stone fruit and citrus elements present in the wine”. They proudly add that Jaime Goode from Wineanorak, a leading wine website, gave the Meerlust Chardonnay 2023, 95 points.

The historic manor house is an exceptional example of old Cape Dutch architecture.

At Rickety Bridge the Wine Tasting Centre with its three-sided glass façade overlooks their vineyards and the Franschhoek mountains. It’s right next door to the wine cellar which enables visitors to take a peek at exactly what happens at a working wine cellar. 

Cellarmaster Donovan Ackermann and wine maker Mari Kotze agree that chardonnay is “a very complex and site-specific cultivar to work with, which makes it challenging but at the same time also very exciting”. 

The Rickety Bridge Chardonnay has loads of citrus with some nutty nuances and a bit of orange blossom, honey and tropical fruit. It “usually gets good ratings from Tim Atkin”, says Donovan. 

You can also visit Paulina’s Restaurant, with the same views, named in honour of the original owner of this property.