De Wetshof’s Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2018 has been adjudged one of the top 15 wines in this year’s Chardonnay du Monde, the world’s leading competition for wines made from the noble grape of Burgundy. Some 696 wines from 36 countries were judged by a panel of experts at Château des Ravatys, the wine estate of the Pasteur Institute at Saint Lager in the Burgundy, with only 54 Gold medals awarded. 

“The fact that from the 36 countries whose wines were judged, South Africa was twice listed among the top 15 Chardonnay producers is an accolade to all those who over the past two decades made it their passion to bring South Africa to the fore as a leading producer of quality Chardonnay wines.” Johann de Wet De Wetshof CEO.

He went on to say  “the Chardonnay du Monde remains one of the most important competitions for Chardonnay, the variety for which De Wetshof is best known-for and which it pioneered in South Africa during the 1980s.”

Like all of De Wetshof’s Chardonnays, the grapes for the Bon Vallon wine originate from vineyards growing on sites specifically suited to the style of wine that will be bottled. The vineyards are on limestone-rich soils, with a high clay content, ensuring coolness and a high water-retention capacity. 

De Wet says this award vindicates De Wetshof’s belief in the excellence of South African Chardonnay.

“We are honoured to receive this accolade from the world’s leading Chardonnay competition and hope this shows the world that South Africa is capable of producing white wines, and especially Chardonnay, that can compete with the best in the world.” Johann de Wet 

Read more about De Wetshof’s Bon Vallon Chardonnay here