Lismore Chardonnay

The Overberg region is rapidly earning a reputation for premium, cool climate grapes.

Californian ex-pat Samantha O’Keefe’s ‘Lismore’ Estate is the only registered wine estate in the Greyton ward,  designated in recognition of the unique expression of terroir in the wines that are produced there.

The Lismore Estate has a total of just 12.5 hectares of vineyard, planted on slopes at the base of the Riviersonderend Mountain Range. The combination of elevation and climate make for an extended ripening period, which is approximately three to four weeks later than the more traditional wine growing areas in the Western Cape.

This elegant 100% Chardonnay has a complex, expressive bouquet with touches of smoke and walnut infusing the citrus fruit and a hint of toffee just underneath.

The palate is lively and ripe with apricot, mandarin, orange zest and white peach. It is long in the mouth with a fine, walnut inspired finish.

The grapes were whole bunched pressed, barrel fermented and aged for 11 months in older French barrels of 225 to 300 litres. The wine went through regular “bâtonnage” or stirring of the lees, which imparted texture and weight.