# Wild Yeast Chardonnay (2023)

- **Producer:** Springfield Estate
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €15
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, lemon, peach, butter, biscuit, cream

## About this wine

The Springfield Estate Wild Yeast Chardonnay 2023 is a 100% Chardonnay from the Robertson region of South Africa. Its distinctiveness lies in its fermentation with natural wild yeasts, a process that imparts complexity and character. Springfield Estate, a family-run winery with a history rooted in French Huguenot heritage, emphasizes a 'Made on Honour' philosophy, releasing only vintage wines of high quality. The Robertson region's climate and calcareous soils contribute to the wine's unique profile.

## Interesting facts

- Fermented using only wild yeasts found naturally on grape skins.
- The winemaking process avoids pumps and crushers, relying on gravity.
- Springfield Estate's motto is 'Made on Honour', signifying a commitment to quality.
- The Bruwer family are ninth-generation descendants of French Huguenots.

## Food pairing

The wine's bright acidity cuts through the richness of creamy sauces and fatty proteins, while its textured mouthfeel complements dishes with similar weight. Subtle herbal or citrus notes in the food can echo or contrast with the wine's inherent characteristics.

## Wine making process

The Springfield Estate Wild Yeast Chardonnay 2023 is produced using 100% Chardonnay grapes. A key technique is the fermentation with natural wild yeasts, a process that takes 6-9 months and occurs in underground cement tanks. The wine also undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation naturally. Following fermentation, it is aged on lees for 10 months. The winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, with grapes harvested at night and transported via gravity systems to avoid pumps and crushers.