Alvi's Drift Signature Chardonnay 2026

Colour

Pale straw yellow with a soft golden shine.

Nose

Ripe apple, pear and peach, supported by citrus, melon and a light floral touch.

Palate

Dry and juicy, with ripe yellow fruit and a soft, rounded structure. Apple, peach and citrus lead, followed by subtle spice and a gentle creamy note. Fresh fruit keeps the wine lively and nicely balanced.

Finish

Medium length and smooth, lingering on ripe fruit, citrus and a fresh, rounded close.

Alvi’s Drift is a family-owned estate from the Breede River Valley in South Africa’s Western Cape. Its story began on a riverside farm where the family developed agriculture, livestock farming and, later, viticulture. The name refers to a low-water bridge built to connect the two banks of the river. Local people began calling the crossing Alvi’s Drift in honour of the family member who made its construction possible. The bridge eventually became the winery’s recognisable symbol.

The vineyards lie in the cooler southern part of the valley, where sunshine, cooling air currents and water from the Breede River provide favourable growing conditions. After pursuing a career as a doctor, the present winemaker returned to the family farm and gave its wine production a new direction. The emphasis shifted from selling wine in larger quantities towards bottling under the estate’s own name. Today, Alvi’s Drift remains a diverse agricultural property where vineyards, orchards, animals and natural areas exist side by side. This close relationship with the land continues to shape the winery’s warm and personal identity.