Our Wine of the Week is the special 30th birthday edition of Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir, an iconic white blend.
Located in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, Haute Cabrière specialises in wines created from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varieties. Since its acquisition by the von Arnim family in 1982, this picturesque wine estate has been meticulously cultivating its vineyards, harnessing the unique terroir of the region. Franschhoek is bordered by majestic mountains on three sides, which makes its terroir undeniably distinctive. At Haute Cabrière, they embrace a philosophy of thoughtful simplicity. Rather than imposing on nature’s bounty, they believe in gentle cellar practices that allow their terroir to shine through in every sip.
Their passion for innovation has led to a diverse range of quality wines. From pioneering blends to intriguing single-varietal wines, each bottle reflects our commitment to crafting wines that captivate the senses and delight the palate. The Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir is one of these pioneering blends. The OG and first-of-its-kind in South Africa, Haute Cabrière was the first to craft this style of wine in the country back in 1994. This year, it celebrates its 30th anniversary!
The Origin Story of Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Haute Cabrière’s founding cellarmaster, Achim von Arnim, brought his love for Champagne wines to Franschhoek, and he knew that his wines for traditional Cap Classique production needed to be low in alcohol to ensure quality. This might be easy to achieve in Champagne, the coolest wine region in France, but less so in the hot Cape of South Africa. Not a family to shy away from a challenge, the von Arnims planted their vines and pursued the creation of exceptional Cap Classiques.
But, while 1994 ushered in a new democracy for South Africa, it also brought an extraordinarily warm growing season. The unpredictable weather caused the grapes’ sugar to skyrocket suddenly and, with it, the alcohol levels. All may have seemed lost, but Achim decided to vinify the grapes and blend the wine. He was “struck by how lovely the young wine was”. He remembers, “It was backed by intensity and mystique, with a slightly pink colour from the Pinot Noir. Nature had actually given me a gift.”
And so, the challenge gave way to invention, and South Africa’s first vintage of Chardonnay Pinot Noir as a still wine blend was born. “Wine is, in essence, a distilled story of a cellarmaster’s dreams and capabilities,” says Achim. His dedicated, hands-on approach saw this pioneering blend become one of the most beloved and listed white wine blends in South Africa.
About Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2024
The 2024 Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir, the special 30th birthday edition of this pioneering blend, has just been launched. It’s a refreshing and versatile wine with only 12.5% ABV (alcohol by volume). Characterised by the clean Chardonnay-driven elegance, it has fresh citrus flavours underpinned by white peach and red berry fruit, with a balanced acidity.
The Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2024 is a true marriage with food. It complements almost every style of dish, from spicy chicken and tomato stew to umfino. “It’s a wine that brings people together,” says wine director and Achim’s son, Takuan von Arnim. “It’s a wine that encourages you to enjoy the moment you’re in and the people you’re with.”
Wine estate name: Haute Cabrière
Location: Franschhoek, Western Cape
In Collaboration with: wine.co.za
