Made in tiny quantities, Richard Kershaw MW's wines are always in high demand. Born
in Sheffield, Richard trained and worked as a chef before discovering wine. After
extensive travelling he settled in South Africa in 1999, and by 2009 he was Group
Winemaker at Mulderbosch and Kanu. He established Kershaw Wines in 2012,
specialising in the cool-climate wines of Elgin. Being one of the few MW’s to make his
own wine, he uses his vast knowledge to craft stunning wines that are easily a match
for some of the world’s very best wines.

Lower Duivenhoks River is a small, maritime-influenced district on South Africa’s Cape South Coast, straddling the winding Duiwenhoks River between Riversdale, Vermaaklikheid and the Indian Ocean. Just a few kilometres from the sea, vineyards benefit from persistent south-easterly winds, cool night air and frequent ocean mists that slow ripening, extend the growing season and preserve acidity. The broader area has a Mediterranean pattern of winter rainfall and dry, windy summers, with the coastal currents and breezes providing vital moderation.

Soils are a defining feature: unusually for the Western Cape, pockets of hard, calcium-rich limestone and calcareous sands sit alongside sandstone and alluvial deposits. These well-drained, alkaline profiles favour Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in particular, lending a chalky, saline precision and firm natural acidity.

Plantings remain limited and the district is largely grape-growing, but a handful of quality-focused producers have drawn attention to its potential. Styles skew “cool-climate”: taut, mineral Chardonnay with citrus, pear and white-peach notes; refined Pinot Noir showing red cherry, cranberry and gentle spice; and lively, sea-breeze-tinged Sauvignon Blanc. In warmer pockets and on stonier slopes, Syrah offers peppery, violet-flecked reds of freshness and drive; experimental parcels (including Tempranillo) add further colour. Oak is generally used sparingly to keep the emphasis on purity, texture and length.

Overall, Lower Duivenhoks River delivers wines that marry coastal poise with depth—bright fruit wrapped around a distinct mineral line—marking it out as one of the Cape South Coast’s most intriguing emerging terroirs.

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular and versatile white grape varieties, originating from the Burgundy region of France. It is a relatively adaptable vine, thriving in a range of climates and soil types, making it widely planted across the globe. Chardonnay ripens early to mid-season and is known for its ability to express terroir, as well as respond well to a variety of winemaking techniques, including oak ageing and malolactic fermentation.

Today, Chardonnay is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country. In France, it shines in Burgundy’s Chablis (crisp, mineral-driven) and Côte de Beaune (rich, complex), and is also a key component of Champagne. In the New World, regions like California, Australia (Yarra Valley, Margaret River), New Zealand, and Chile produce diverse expressions, ranging from lean and citrusy to full-bodied and buttery.

Cool-climate Chardonnays tend to show green apple, lemon, and flinty notes, while warmer regions yield riper flavours like tropical fruit, peach, and melon. Oak-aged Chardonnays may exhibit vanilla, toast, and nutty characteristics, while unoaked versions highlight freshness and purity of fruit.

This remarkable flexibility makes Chardonnay a favourite among winemakers and wine lovers alike, offering a wide spectrum of styles and flavours.