Hartenberg The Eleanor Chardonnay 2019

Region and Vineyards

Hartenberg Estate is located in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s most revered wine regions, known for its diverse soils and cooling maritime influences from False Bay. The vineyards used for The Eleanor Chardonnay benefit from decomposed granite soils that ensure excellent drainage, encouraging deep root penetration and vine balance.

The region’s Mediterranean climate, moderated by ocean breezes, allows for a slow ripening period, essential for preserving acidity and building complex flavour layers in the fruit. Grapes are hand-harvested at optimal phenolic ripeness, ensuring both freshness and concentration.

Winemaking

The Eleanor Chardonnay is the estate’s flagship white wine, produced only in outstanding vintages from selected parcels. The 2019 vintage underwent barrel fermentation and was aged for 12 months in 225L French oak barriques, with 30% new oak. This choice of cooperage imparts texture and a delicate toasty complexity without overshadowing the varietal character.

The élevage process is meticulously controlled to enhance richness while retaining purity and a linear profile. Malolactic fermentation is carefully monitored or partially blocked, helping to preserve a fresh acid spine to balance the wine’s inherent creamy depth.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale honeyed yellow.
• Aroma: Flinty minerality with lifted notes of peaches and cream, underscored by subtle oak-derived complexity.
• Palate: Rich and textural with a creamy mid-palate. Fresh acidity provides tension and energy, while nuances of walnut, apricot, and citrus lend depth and elegance. The finish is long, clean, and mineral-driven.

Did you know?

The Eleanor is named after Eleanor Finlayson, who, alongside her husband Maurice, owned Hartenberg (then known as “Montagne”) from 1948 to 1977. Her legacy is captured in the wine’s refined yet determined character—a Chardonnay of poise and inner strength that has earned 95 points from Tim Atkin MW and consistent acclaim across vintages.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Butter-poached lobster: The wine’s richness complements the luxurious texture of the shellfish.
• Roast chicken with truffle cream: A match that echoes the wine’s creamy mid-palate and nutty oak influence.
• Miso-glazed black cod: The umami depth harmonizes with the wine’s stone fruit and mineral tension.
• Brie or Camembert cheese: Their creamy texture resonates beautifully with the wine’s soft mouthfeel and integrated oak.

History of Hartenberg

Hartenberg’s viticultural legacy dates back to 1692, when the original land grant was awarded under Cape Governor Simon van der Stel. The estate underwent several ownership changes throughout the 18th and 19th centuries before establishing itself as a prominent winegrowing property.

In the 1920s, the property was purchased by Maurice and Eleanor Finlayson, pioneers who replanted vines and laid the groundwork for modern viticulture on the farm. Their legacy would be continued in earnest by the McKenzie family, who acquired the estate in the 1980s and invested heavily in vineyard improvement and cellar innovation.

Under the guidance of Carl Schultz, who joined in 1993 as winemaker and later became cellar master, Hartenberg developed an international reputation for site-specific Syrah, with Gravel Hill Shiraz becoming one of South Africa’s first and most acclaimed single-vineyard wines. The estate also produces distinguished Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux blends, and Chenin Blanc, among others.

Throughout its history, Hartenberg has remained family-owned and has consistently prioritized sustainability, soil health, and environmental stewardship, preserving vast natural areas on the property.

Region and Vineyards

Hartenberg is situated in the Bottelary Hills, a sub-region of Stellenbosch, famed for its complex geology, elevation, and maritime-influenced climate. The estate’s 170 hectares include over 60 hectares under vine, with the remainder dedicated to biodiversity conservation and fynbos restoration.

The soils at Hartenberg range from deep, red granitic loam to iron-rich koffieklip, offering distinct profiles that are matched carefully to specific grape varieties. The vineyards benefit from cool sea breezes that prolong ripening, ensuring vibrant acidity and fine phenolic maturity. The estate follows sustainable farming principles, with minimal intervention and a focus on soil vitality.

Wine Range of Hartenberg

Hartenberg is best known for its Shiraz collection, which includes the Estate Shiraz, the flagship Gravel Hill Shiraz, and the The Stork, a limited cuvée named after a WWII fighter pilot and family patriarch.

The estate also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and a Bordeaux-style blend named Doorkeeper. On the white side, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, and a Chardonnay round out a balanced portfolio, all crafted with precision and elegance.

Each wine reflects the estate’s emphasis on terroir expression, age-worthiness, and classic structure.

Did you know?

Hartenberg’s Gravel Hill Shiraz was one of the first single-vineyard Syrahs in South Africa and has been served at state banquets and global wine showcases as a benchmark of South African excellence. The estate is also home to one of the oldest underground cellars in the Cape Winelands, maintaining ideal conditions for barrel maturation.