De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2025

Fresh pears and peaches with hints of citrus and light buttery aromas. De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay is full, yet zesty and a perfect wine with a wide range of foods (see below). Peach and pear flavours mingle with light buttery notes and zingy mineral flavours, providing a clean, long finish. This is quite Chablis-like; as an unoaked chardonnay it derives its excellent flavours and texture from its extended lees contact (around 3.5 months with weekly stirring!). We have many fans of this well-balance, fresh Chardonnay!

This wine receives consistently excellent reviews every year, including from Tim Atkin MW.  This wine consistently punches above its price point with previous Gold Medals at Michelangelo Awards in South Africa and 94/100 Points from Jamie Goode as well as several other accolades from around the world. The 2018 vintage was judged as one of the top 10 Chardonnays in the World. You can see all the Reviews below – including the latest 2025 vintage which is an excellent bargain price from us!

About the producer

De Wetshof is one of the few 3rd generation wine estates in South Africa. A family-run winery, with Johann De Wet who focuses on the viticulture and has recently taken on the mantle of CEO (from father Danie) who works closely with his brother Peter who focuses on finances and logistics. Both brothers are involved in the winemaking and their mother Lesca runs the marketing side.

Daniel de Wet was one of the first wine makers to see the potential of Robertson for growing Chardonnay grapes, in the days when South Africa tended to focus on their indigenous Chenin Blanc (Steen) variety. He was one of a group of winegrowers who smuggled good quality Chardonnay vine material into the country in the 1980s: it was the only way they could get it!  The De Wet family have pioneered the production of consistently high quality chardonnays.

They are located 160km North of Cape Town, and their vineyards are ideally located on the slopes overlooking the Breede River, surrounded by mountains which funnel chilly southern ocean breezes up the valley and give cooling respite to the vines throughout the growing season. The soils have high concentration of limestone which makes this are exceptionally fine for white grape varieties; Chardonnay in particular.

Reviews

2025 Vintage

“Bon Vallon comes from a cooler, North-facing site on rocky soils. Stainless steel fermented, followed by 100 days on the lees, it’s an approachable, crowd-pleasing Chardonnay that has stone fruit flavours of peach and apricot and enough acidity and minerality to lift and freshen the finish.  Drink 2026 – 2030.” 91 Points Tim Atkin MW South Africa Report 2026

2024 Vintage

2023 Vintage

“From rocky soils with quite a bit of calcium carbonate content. No oak here: it’s matured on its lees for 6 months, but it’s remarkably complex and intense. This is a really nicely focused Chardonnay showing a core of bright citrus fruit supported by keen acidity.

There’s just a hint of toastiness and spice, with the core of the wine being the bright lemon, lime, mandarin and grapefruit characters. It’s concentrated, taut and mineral. This will age. VG Value.  94/100”  Jamie Goode Wine Anorak UK September 2024

“Part of an impressive array of Chardonnays from the the youthful Loic du Toit, this is a bright, focused, mineral driven Chardonnay. Chiselled, mouth-watering and appealingly salty with a core of lemon and lime fruit.  91 Points.”  Drink 2024 – 29    Tim Atkin MW South Africa Special Report 2024

“Ripe fruit and floral nose with a touch of salinity on the palate. Hints of gooseberry and lime”  2023 vintage – IWSC Awards 2023

2021 Vintage

“You can definitely taste the cooler 2021 growing season in this release of the popular Bon Vallon Chardonnay, showing more zip, minerality and focus. It has nice waxed lemon and wet stone flavours and a hint of passion fruit sweetness. 91 Points”: Drink 2022 – 2027. Tim Atkin MW : South Africa Special Report 2022

“Always unwooded, Bon Vallon is stainless steel fermented but has extensive lees contact for texture and weight. Zippy and fresh it has white pepper and lemon flavours, a dollop of cremé fraiche and a crisp, refreshing aftertaste. 91 Points: Drink 2020 – 2024. Tim Atkin MW : South Africa Special Report 2019.

Check out our competitive price for this wine: sells in a few Independent Wine Merchants £15 – £18.95

Food Match: Versatile: it goes well with Caesar Salad or seared salmon, tuna, and a wide range of Fish dishes including ones with cream. It will also complement grilled or roasted white meats, pan-fried duck and full-flavoured vegetarian dishes

Top 10 Best Chardonnay in the World 2019 – De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2018

We were pleased to see that Bon Vallon 2018 was judged as one of the top 10 Chardonnays in the world at Chardonnay du Monde Competition held in Burgundy 6 – 8 March 2019. In its 26th year this International Competition with strict criteria and 300 international expert judges, tasted 696 wines from 36 different countries.  54 Gold and 173 Silver Medals were awarded in 2019. To receive a Gold Medal and then be nominated in the Top 10 Chardonnays in the World is a terrific accolade for this fantastic value unoaked Chardonnay.