Franschhoek’s Chamonix Estate has once again proven the pedigree of its mountain vineyards, earning a Gold medal at the prestigious Amorim Cap Classique Challenge 2025 for the Chamonix Blanc de Blancs Cap Classique 2022.
Crafted from a single Chardonnay vineyard planted in 1988, the Blanc de Blancs stood out in one of the competition’s most competitive categories. This year’s Challenge—the 24th edition—drew a record 152 entries, with 43 wines competing in the Blanc de Blancs class alone. To secure Gold, a wine must score between 93 and 95 points, a rare recognition of exceptional quality.
Winemaker Neil Bruwer attributes the wine’s success to Chamonix’s distinctive mountain terroir:
“Our Chardonnay vineyards climb to 400m above sea level, where cool conditions and southerly breezes ensure slow, even ripening. The soils—rich in greywacke and clay—give the vines everything they need to produce fruit of structure, finesse, and varietal purity.”
The winemaking process reflects this focus on craftsmanship. Grapes are whole-bunch pressed, with 70% of the juice fermented in seasoned oak barrels and the remainder in stainless steel. The base wine rests on its lees for seven months before undergoing secondary fermentation in bottle for 24 months.
“Making Cap Classique is about transformation,” Bruwer explains. “The extended lees contact and oak fermentation create a noble base wine, which then gains brilliance and life through two years in bottle. It’s a process of careful craftsmanship rather than minimal intervention.”
The Amorim Cap Classique Challenge is regarded as South Africa’s leading platform for sparkling wines made in the traditional method.
“To share the Gold podium in such a strong Blanc de Blancs category is a real honour,” says Bruwer. “It confirms not only the quality of our Chardonnay but also the unique character of Chamonix’s mountain vineyards.”
For more information, visit: www.chamonixestate.co.za
