Holden Manz Wine Estate, known as Franschhoek’s hidden gem, is located in the southernmost corner of the stunningly beautiful Franschhoek Valley.

The 22 hectare Estate is owned by the Anglo-German Holden-Manz family since 2010.

75kW of solar panels provide electricity and a 40,000 litre roof water collection system supplements the underground water supply, hence the winery’s motto “Tread Lightly”.

This Chardonnay is barrel fermented – a method of wine-making that aids the integration of oak flavours into the finished wine.

The fruit was hand-picked in the early morning to preserve levels of acid in the grapes. Fermented in 225-litre barrels, it spent ten months ageing with regular lees stirring.

The result is a wine that combines a full body with cream, butter and toast characteristics and boasts a focused vein of acidity, citrus and stone fruit flavours.

It is made in the image of the fine white wines of Burgundy.