This is a dry, taut and well-made South African Chardonnay with a light, natural sense of body—excellent value for money from the Western Cape.
The Chardonnay grapes for Secretary Bird come from vineyards slightly northeast of Cape Town, where the flat terrain between the ocean to the west and the mountains to the east is well suited to viticulture. Other crops struggle in the stony soils and low-rainfall climate, but the vines benefit from the moderating influence of the nearby sea.
To preserve a fresh profile, the grapes are harvested in the very early morning hours when they are at their coolest. They are then actively chilled and cool-fermented in stainless steel. The wine is matured entirely in tank on its lees, giving this unoaked Chardonnay extra complexity and a little more “weight” on the palate.
Aromatically, you’ll find nectarine, yellow plums, a touch of tropical fruit, and a subtle hint of fresh hay. Since the wine sees no oak at all, it’s a varietal, grape-driven style of Chardonnay—far from the more oak-influenced expressions many people associate with the variety.
It’s a versatile wine: great as a casual glass, but also a fine match for lighter fish dishes, a rustic salad, midweek chicken, or pasta with a cream-based sauce.
