Oldenburg vineyard chardonnay

“Oldenburg Chardonnay - Top Wine from the New World"

Clear straw yellow with subtle golden reflections, inviting in the glass. 
On the nose, refined aromas of ripe peach, apricot and white fruit, with lively hints of lime and citrus zest. Behind this develops a soft touch of vanilla, roasted almonds and floral nuances, thanks to oak aging. On the palate, rich and creamy in structure, with a beautiful balance between fruity intensity and fresh acidity. Tropical fruits such as nectarine and white peach dominate, complemented by a soft, buttery texture and elegant oak tones, making the wine complex and layered. Long finish where fresh acidity harmonizes with notes of vanilla, honey and a light mineral touch — refined and balanced. 

  Rated 4.1 / 5 on Vivino

Serving:

Perfect with grilled fish, lobster, creamy pasta dishes or lightly spiced white meat. Its structure and fresh acidity also make it an excellent partner for mild cheeses or shellfish. Serve at approximately 8‑10 °C to fully enjoy the freshness and complex aromas.

Storage:

Oldenburg Chardonnay reaches its peak when young enough to enjoy its fresh fruit character and lightly aged oak, but also has sufficient structure for some bottle aging.
???? Aging potential: approximately 5–12 years after harvest in a proper cellar or wine cabinet. For example, the 2023 vintage can mature until around 2030. With longer aging, fresh fruit notes will soften and secondary aromas such as nutty, brioche or honey tones will become more pronounced, while maintaining pleasant acidity and balance.

Additional Information:

Oldenburg Vineyards is an ambitious, quality-focused estate located in Banghoek Valley, a cool climate area near Stellenbosch, one of South Africa's most prestigious wine regions. The terroir-rich hills surrounding the vineyard — with granitic and sandstone soils — produce wines with distinct minerality, elegance, and aromatic expression. 
 

History & Philosophy

The estate was founded in 2003 when South African wine enthusiast and investor Adrian Vanderspuy purchased the neglected vineyards; the first official vintage under the Oldenburg name appeared in 2007. 

Since then, the estate has developed into a prestigious producer, with a strong focus on high-quality, terroir-driven wines, emphasized by hand-harvesting, strict grape selection, and the use of wild yeast fermentation whenever possible. 

The current winemaker is Nic van Aarde (since 2018), a renowned oenologist focusing on minimal intervention and maximum expression of the vines and terroir. His approach: first ensure vineyard quality, then work with precision in the cellar. 

Oldenburg combines respect for classical viticulture with modern techniques; the winery is equipped with modern facilities, but the real work begins in the vineyard. 

Vineyards & Terroir

The vineyards are located at altitudes between approximately 300–410 m, benefiting from a combination of cool mountain winds, large diurnal temperature swings, influence from two oceans (Atlantic and Indian), and rich soil structures. This contributes to slow, even ripening of grapes and wines with freshness, nuance, and depth.

Awards:

• 93/100 Falstaff
• 95/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
• Gold Medal Decanter
• 94/100 Wine Advocate