Calcrete Wine is a collaboration of distinguished family estates in the Robertson and Bonnievale region of South Africa. This region is historically known to produce some exceptional Chardonnays and Cap Classique for South Africa.
The winemakers from Weltevrede, De Wetshof, Rietvallei, Excelsior, Van Loveren and Bon Courage (all from Robertson and Bonnievale about a 2-hour drive out of Cape Town) have come together to further define a region-specific wine. They are committed to producing unwooded Chardonnay that captures the unique terroir and minerality of the area.
Unveiling Calcrete Chardonnay
Some will label their wines as “Chardonnay with Calcrete,” while others will confidently bear the name “Calcrete” alone, trusting that in due time, Calcrete will be synonymous with unwooded Chardonnay, distinguished by its exceptional minerality.
A Region Redefined by Its Wine
Drawing inspiration from Old-World wine regions like Chablis in northern Burgundy, France, where Chardonnay wines are celebrated for their elegant minerality and food-friendliness, the Robertson wine area in South Africa has, over the past four decades, gained prominence for its unwooded Chardonnays with lime-like minerality. The estates along the roads between Bonnievale and Robertson have perfected the art of offering Chardonnays that are not only unwooded but also display clarity and minerality, thus truly defining the region.
The Geological Essence of Calcrete Wine
Calcrete, geologically, refers to the white deposits of limestone in soils. From this unique terroir, Calcrete Wines derive their character, purity, sophistication, and minerality. Chardonnay wines labelled as Calcrete are meticulously selected from the Bonnievale-Robertson region, making them arguably the closest resemblance to Chablis in South Africa, yet distinctly reflective of their unique regional attributes. Calcrete wines are an authentic expression of local minerality, showcasing the region’s forte.
This distinctive terroir features calcareous outcrops and arid, broken shale, resulting from ancient petrified maritime deposits, which define the wines with their crystalline character, nuances of wet stone, saline palate, and oyster shell minerality, all highlighted by the linear unwooded profile.
Describing the Indescribable
Calcrete Chardonnay is best described as elegant, zesty, and minimalist, with a pale lime-green hue, a vibrant fragrance of lime, bruised apples, damp calcium rocks, and a salty, chalky taste. It is the oyster of wines, offering a minerality reminiscent of an oyster shell, a fresh saltiness, and a hint of lime, all finishing with an elegantly coated texture on the palate, providing an irresistible invitation for another sip.
Trademark Protection
Calcrete is a registered name protected as a trademark. Only approved members of the Calcrete Wine Custodians will be permitted to use the name for individually approved unwooded Chardonnay lots from Wine of Origin Robertson and its wards. The focus is on winemakers with a track record of crafting minerally style Chardonnay from the limestone terroir.
A Commitment to Excellence
The vision of Calcrete Wine is to excel in offering a wine that authentically represents the terroir, family wine estates of the region, and the lifestyle of the valley. Calcrete is poised to be known as the quintessential sunshine wine and the ultimate food wine, encapsulating the essence of its terroir of birth.
For more information, please contact:
Philip Jonker Email: philip@weltevrede.com Phone: 084 588 6540
