2021 Glenelly Glass Collection, Unwooded Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Stellenbosch Chardonnay is one of South Africa’s most compelling white wine expressions — and Glenelly’s Glass Collection Unwooded Chardonnay is a beautiful example of the style at its most pure and precise. Fermented exclusively in stainless steel at low temperature, this unoaked Chardonnay lets the fruit speak freely: bright, complex, and alive with citrus, lychee, and pear. From a woman-owned estate with a remarkable history rooted in both Bordeaux and the Cape, and certified under South Africa’s Integrated Production of Wine program.

Wine Details & Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes: Bright and brilliant color with a slight green hue. Complex aromas of citrus, lychee, and pear, well blended with subtle ginger and honey. On the palate, a beautiful round and comforting texture with wonderful length, intense fruit complexity, and zesty lime and lemon notes on the finish.

• Origin – Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
• Producer – Glenelly Estate; woman-owned; founded by May de Lencquesaing
• Varietal – Chardonnay (100%, unwooded)
• Style – Dry white wine (unoaked, stainless steel fermented)
• ABV – 14.0%
• Certification – IPW (Integrated Production of Wine, South Africa)

Food Pairing

The bright acidity, citrus complexity, and round texture of this unwooded Chardonnay make it one of the most food-versatile whites you can pour. Pairs beautifully with grilled sea bass, pan-seared scallops, and fresh oysters. The lychee and pear notes make it a wonderful companion for Thai dishes, Vietnamese spring rolls, and anything with ginger or lemongrass. Also excellent alongside soft cheeses, grilled chicken, and light pasta with olive oil and herbs. Serve well chilled at 45–50°F to preserve the vibrant aromatics and zesty finish.

Occasion

This is your elegant everyday white — the bottle for spring and summer entertaining, wine club selections, and gifting the Chardonnay lover who appreciates the pure, unoaked style. A standout choice for anyone who wants to support woman-owned excellence in South African wine, and a beautiful introduction to Stellenbosch Chardonnay for anyone who hasn’t yet discovered this extraordinary region.

Wine Producer / Historical Notes

Glenelly Estate owes its success to a rich history dating back to 1682, when Simon van der Stel ceded the land to French Huguenot Francois Villion. In 2003, at the age of 78, May de Lencquesaing — then owner of the famous Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, a Grand Cru Classe from Pauillac, Bordeaux — purchased the estate and set about planting vines to replace the existing fruit trees. With a nod to the French Huguenot settlers 300 years before, she realized her vision of establishing a thriving winery that best utilizes the soils and microclimate of the valley while supporting local economic development and the community. Thus, Glenelly Estate was reborn. May de Lencquesaing’s family legacy of centuries in the wine industry, combined with the extraordinary terroir of Stellenbosch, has made Glenelly a wine estate of genuine note in the South African wine world.

Shipping

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