The Witches Berry Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted chicken, creamy seafood pasta, grilled pork chops
✨ Technical Specifications
Named after a weed that grows wild in the McLaren Vale vineyards—Solanum nigrum, or black nightshade, whose small black berries were locally dubbed 'witches' berries' by children—this Chardonnay captures the whimsical spirit and rich terroir of d'Arenberg. The grapes are sourced from cool-climate sites in Adelaide Hills and the flatter, warmer plains of McLaren Vale, providing a beautiful balance of vibrant acidity and rich, ripe fruit. Traditionally crafted, the juice is gently pressed and fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and seasoned French oak barriques. A portion of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, adding a subtle, creamy texture and complexity to the palate without overshadowing the bright, primary fruit flavors of white peach, nectarine, and citrus.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1912 by Joseph Osborn, d'Arenberg has grown into one of McLaren Vale's most iconic and storied family-owned estates in South Australia. Under the visionary stewardship of fourth-generation winemaker Chester Osborn, the winery adheres strictly to traditional, sustainable methods, utilizing certified organic and biodynamic viticulture along with foot-treading and basket pressing. Renowned for its eclectic naming conventions and distinctive red-stripe label, the estate crafts a wide spectrum of expressive wines with a particular mastery of Rhône varieties, old-vine Grenache, and robust Shiraz. Signature bottlings such as 'The Dead Arm Shiraz' and 'The Ironstone Pressings' stand as benchmarks of regional depth, complexity, and age-worthy character.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
13.5% - 14%