The Waterford Estate Chardonnay Single Vineyard 2022 is a refined, site-driven Chardonnay produced from the estate’s single Chardonnay vineyard planted in 1988. Situated in the coolest part of Waterford Estate in Stellenbosch, the vineyard is rooted in red clay and granite soils, conditions particularly well suited to producing Chardonnay with freshness, concentration and pronounced mineral character.
Significantly, Chardonnay is the only white grape variety planted on Waterford Estate, making this wine a particularly focused expression of the property. The vineyard is harvested by hand across approximately eight separate pickings, allowing each parcel to be brought into the cellar at optimum ripeness.
Whole-bunch pressing, barrel fermentation and extended maturation in French oak produce a Chardonnay that combines stone fruit and floral aromatics with integrated oak, vibrant acidity and a distinctive saline, chalky finish.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright golden straw with subtle green highlights.
Nose: Elegant and mineral-driven, opening with white peach, nectarine, melon and stone fruit. Delicate citrus blossom and honeysuckle provide aromatic lift, while subtle green olive leaf and flinty notes add complexity.
Palate: Focused and beautifully textured. White peach and nectarine are supported by fresh citrus and a pronounced mineral character. The French oak is restrained and well integrated, adding depth and texture without masking the purity of the fruit.
Finish: Long, fresh and precise, with vibrant acidity carrying flavours of stone fruit into a chalky, mineral and subtly saline finish.
Awards & Accolades
The 2022 vintage has received excellent recognition:
92 Points – Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Special Report 2025
4.5 Stars – Platter’s Wine Guide 2026
Food Pairing
An excellent match for grilled line fish, lobster, prawns, roast chicken, pork, creamy seafood dishes and mushroom risotto. Its acidity and saline character also make it particularly well suited to oysters and other shellfish.
Technical Details
Producer: Waterford Estate
Vintage: 2022
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard: Single vineyard planted in 1988
Soils: Red clay and granite
Harvesting: Hand-harvested across approximately 8 separate pickings
Pressing: Gentle whole-bunch pressing
Fermentation: 300L French oak barrels
Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
Maturation: Approximately 11 months in total
Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/L
Total Acidity: 4.5 g/L
pH: 3.5
Bottle Size: 750ml
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations: If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
Subscription Terms & Conditions:
By purchasing a Subscription, you agree to recurring automatic payments based on your selected delivery frequency (monthly, every 2 months or every 3 months etc).
Your subscription will automatically renew and your payment method will be charged on the same calendar day as your original purchase until your subscription is cancelled.
Minimum Commitment: Subscription pricing includes a discounted rate and therefore requires a minimum commitment of two (2) deliveries. Cancellation requests will only be accepted after your second subscription box has been successfully delivered.
Cancellation requests must be submitted before your next billing date. If your payment has already been processed, that month's subscription will still be fulfilled and dispatched.
Subscription payments are non-refundable once they have been successfully processed, except where required by applicable South African consumer protection laws.
In the event that a product becomes unavailable, Mothercity Liquor reserves the right to substitute it with a product of equal or greater value.
Customers must be 18 years or older to purchase or receive alcoholic products.
