Lourensford Limited Release Chardonnay 2020

Harvest Description

We experienced an improved 2019 post-harvest period compared to the previous year, resulting in a bigger crop. The leaves fell around the same time or later than usual. Sufficient cold units were accumulated during the winter to break dormancy. With spring came mostly favourable conditions, which contributed to a somewhat earlier but even bud-break. The early growing season will especially be remembered for good, homogenous shoot growth. Summer temperatures were moderate during the ripening period, with the absence of characteristic heat peaks. These conditions bode particularly well for flavour retention in the grapes. Although the harvesting season commenced approximately two weeks earlier than usual, we will forever remember the 2020 harvest for the unexpected announcement of the COVID-19 lockdown, which was implemented in South Africa from 26 March 2020. This resulted in us finishing the last harvest activities with only 20% of our staff. The 2020 crop will however bring exceptional wines to consumers and will be known as one of our best vintages despite these trying conditions.