Stellenbosch
Radford Dale
Radford Dale Vinum Chardonnay
Fresh CitrusPearSubtle ToastMouth Watering
Details
Variety
Chardonnay
Style
White
Region
Stellenbosch
Appellation
Elgin
Producer
Radford Dale
Country
South Africa
Trade Materials
The Inspiration
Vinum Chardonnay is built around balance rather than weight. Fruit from Bottelary, Helderberg and Polkadraai Hills brings together different expressions of Stellenbosch, giving the wine both freshness and depth. The aim is a Chardonnay that feels polished and complete, but never dominated by oak or richness.
The wine spends nine months split between foudre and barrel, with only a small percentage of new oak. That approach adds texture and gentle savory complexity while keeping the citrus and orchard fruit clear and vibrant. The result is layered and refined, with enough creaminess to give shape, but enough acidity to keep the wine energetic and precise. Each element comes together like a quilt but brought to life through human touch and experience. It is a Chardonnay that shows how restrained winemaking can build complexity without losing freshness - very much in keeping with the Vinum philosophy of purity, drinkability and elegance. Captivating on its own but outstanding with food.
In line with Radford Dale's increasing focus on sustainable business practices, all the Vinum wines are bottled in eco-friendly, lightweight glass (396 g) with recyclable screw caps.
About Radford Dale
All About Individuality
"All About Individuality" defines Radford Dale. Founder Alex Dale arrived in South Africa from Burgundy in 1994, bringing a deep understanding of French wine tradition, but an equally strong belief in South Africa's ability to forge its own identity in the new South Africa. Since co-founding Radford Dale in 1998, that balance of classical expertise, independent thinking and distinctly South African expression has shaped the wines to become a benchmark of its own.
People are at the core of Radford Dale with a strong female team, international expertise and impactful upliftment in the communities they work in. Winemaker Petroné Thomas leads a talented cellar team, working with a light touch and a holistic philosophy that connects vineyard, cellar, people and place. Organic and regenerative farming, minimal-intervention winemaking and a willingness to challenge convention result in wines defined by freshness, elegance and individuality.
Being a co-founder of the Certified Organic Wines of South Africa, sustainability has an encompassed meaning for them that runs much deeper than just farming. Radford Dale's Sustainability Charter encompasses environmental responsibility, ethical employment and traceable social impact such as the Land of Hope Education Trust which directs 50% of profit from its namesake range towards education for employees and their dependants.
Their wines are proudly site-driven, unmanipulated and balanced - because they believe that South African wines should reflect their natural environment, vintage and distinct terroirs. Made using natural yeast fermentations, low or no adjustments, minimal usage of new oak resulting in restrained alcohols and healthy natural acidities, both hallmarks of elegant and refreshing wines, with balance the ultimate purpose.
From their long-standing focus on Chenin Blanc to exploring Gamay's impressive potential in Stellenbosch and Elgin, Radford Dale continues to push South African wine forward with passion, contagious energy and undeniable South African spirit.
