Protégé Collection - Pelokazi Nomfembe

This wine was made by Pelokazi under the mentorship of Gordon Newton Johnson whilst she was at Newton Johnson Family Vineyards during her second year as a Protégé.

The grapes were hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed directly to barrel without settling, preserving texture and vineyard character. Fermentation took place naturally in a combination of new and older French oak barrels using indigenous yeasts. The wine remained on gross lees for 11 months, allowing texture, complexity, and integration to develop naturally. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations occurred spontaneously, with minimal intervention throughout. No acid adjustments were made, as the fruit achieved natural balance at harvest. After ageing, the barrels were blended, lightly filtered, and bottled.

This dry Chardonnay sits delicately between richness and freshness, with oak that adds structure without overpowering and fruit that is present yet restrained. Layers of citrus, stone fruit, and subtle vanilla unfold slowly, complemented by a gentle buttery texture balanced by vibrant natural acidity - elegant, thoughtful, and composed.

The name Between Seasons reflects a time of transition, both for the vineyard and for Pelokazi personally - a period of growth, uncertainty, resilience, and quiet transformation. Made while working toward the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Program, this wine represents the in-between space where growth happens quietly, where patience and faith are required before clarity arrives. It is a reflection of where she came from, where she was headed, and the person she was becoming in between.