Indaba Chardonnay has bright, tropical fruit aromas leading to a crisp, fresh palate with mouth-filling flavours of apple, pear, honey, and pineapple. A whisper of oak adds a creamy butterscotch nuance and wonderful depth. Superb value, this versatile white is a seamless pairing for an array of cuisines.
- Country: South Africa
- Region: Coastal Region & Breede River Valley
- Subregion: Robertson, Stellenbosch, Paarl & Swartland
- Vintage: 2019
- Colour: White
- Grape Variety: Chardonnay
- ABV: 13.5%
- Bottle Size: 75cl
- Closure: Screwcap
- Style: Creamy but fresh
- Drink With: Macaroni cheese
Indaba Chardonnay grapes were sourced from select vineyard sites in Robertson, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Swartland, with vines ranging from 8-28 years old. The limestone and decomposed shale soils of Robertson yield wines of great acidity which combine zesty citrus and yellow fruit flavours with a flinty, minerally character. The Paarl and Stellenbosch components – from soils of weathered granite and decomposed sandstone – bring a lusher profile with tropical fruit flavours. The Swartland portion – from soils with a sandy top layer over loamy sub-layers – lends citrus hints and a distinct minerality.
The grapes were picked in the cool early morning hours to maintain the freshness of the fruit. They were de-stemmed, left in cold skin contact for four hours, and then gently pressed. The juice was settled overnight before fermentation, which occurred in a combination of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels. The Indaba Chardonnay was left on its lees for several months to develop further complexity.
(Made in stainless steel and a bit of used French oak) Medium yellow. Fruit driven aromas of peach, pineapple and honey. Supple, broad, dry and easygoing; very ripe and creamy but not a butterbomb. 87 Points
About the grower
Leading the world in sustainability, South Africa is largely considered to be the greenest wine region on earth. Indaba wines are crafted in the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest, yet most diverse of the six plant kingdoms described by botanist Ronald Good. The look and spirit of Indaba reflects both South Africa’s position as a leader in sustainable production and the handcrafted approach found in the country’s art world.
Indaba is a Zulu word meaning "a meeting of the minds", a traditional gathering of tribal leaders for sharing ideas. Indaba was created as a celebration of the democratisation process in South Africa and it embodies the notion of coming together. Indaba is taking its long-standing commitment to education in the vineyard to the next level by kick starting the WELL Project (Winelands Education for Living and Learning) in South Africa. The Project will support childhood development by providing infrastructure, learning materials and teacher training at schools established for wineland workers' children.
Indaba sales also provide financial assistance to the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, a program that assists motivated but currently unemployed South African young adults by providing a combination of technical and personal life skills, supported by work opportunities on farms.
Established by Cape Classics, a portion of the proceeds from the Indaba wine brand’s global sales support the newly-created Indaba Education Fund (IEF). Formerly known as the Indaba Scholarship, Indaba has provided many bursaries for students to pursue wine-industry-related graduate and post-graduate studies since 1998. Via IEF, Indaba is further boosting its commitment to education by shifting its focus to the crucial area of early childhood development (ECD). The Indaba Education Fund’s mission will be to provide teacher training, infrastructure and learning materials all based on a Montessori approach, at schools established for wine farm workers’ children in the Cape Winelands. This training is coordinated in the Winelands through the Stellenbosch-based Sustainability Institute and the Newberry House School. IEF aims to implement positive changes in society by starting at the beginning – identifying and fostering untapped potential in children at an early, receptive and influential age in hopes of encouraging brighter futures.
In order to preserve the precious nature of the area, Indaba takes careful measures to ensure that conservation and sustainability remain top priorities during the production of its wines. Indaba wines are Integrity and Sustainability Certified and every bottle has a sustainability seal displayed on its capsule. Certified by the Wine and Spirit Board of South Africa, this seal is a guarantee of the wine’s origin, vintage and variety as stated on the wine label. It is also a guarantee that the wine complies with IPW criteria – Integrated Production of Wine, a voluntary environmental protection program established by the South African wine industry. The seal verifies that your bottle of Indaba was crafted under strict guidelines requiring eco-friendly wine production and sustainable agricultural, manufacturing and packaging practices.
Indaba wines are crafted by winemaker Bruwer Raats, who has been with the estate since 2008. Bruwer is also proprietor and winemaker of internationally acclaimed Raats Family Wines in South Africa. He brings extensive knowledge and a personal devotion to Indaba, aiming to create handcrafted wines that are fresh, juicy and approachable.
Bruwer oversees the sourcing of grapes and works closely with the various growers (most of them under long-term contract with Indaba) to impact viticulture decisions and to drive the ultimate style of the wines. All grapes are handpicked with meticulous attention to detail. The result is a range of wines that are truly distinctive representations of the soil in which they are grown, remaining food friendly and offering something for every palate. Consistently garnering “Best Value” and “Best Buy” accolades, Indaba Wines deliver character and structure well beyond their price.