Andries Burger, cellarmaster at Paul Clüver Family Wines and member of the Cape Winemakers Guild.
A perennial favourite at the Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auction, Andries Burger’s The Wagon Trail Chardonnay from Paul Clüver Family Wines will be making its 15th appearance when the 41st CWG Auction gets underway this weekend. The Wagon Trail 2024 was once again selected from the CWG members’ offerings to go under the hammer, and, as usual, bidding will be fierce for this Chardonnay, which has become something of an institution at the auction, having gained a loyal and committed following from bidders over the past decade and a half.
The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2024 pays homage both to the Clüver family’s pioneering plantings of the variety in Elgin as well as to a vintage that tested and rewarded patient winegrowing.
The name “Wagon Trail” is a nod to the historic route that once cut through the Clüver De Rust family farm, linking Elgin with the surrounding valleys. Just as the trail marked a path into uncharted country, so too did the Clüvers when they planted their first Chardonnay vines back in 1987, becoming the first commercial wine-farmers in the Elgin region.
Those same old vines remain the beating heart of this cuvée, their roots digging deep into the decomposed shale soils of Elgin, producing fruit of concentration, complexity, and remarkable freshness – characteristics of the Wagon Trail Chardonnay.
At the cellar, Andries Burger’s philosophy for The Wagon Trail has always been one of respect for the vineyard. “Grapes were harvested from the estate’s oldest Chardonnay blocks, chosen for their pedigree and balance,” says Burger. “Fruit was whole-bunch pressed and the juice allowed to settle naturally, without the use of settling agents as the inherent purity of the grapes makes these additions unnecessary.”
Fermentation took place in French oak barrels, but in a style designed to frame rather than dominate the wine. Only 30% new oak was used, alongside 30% second-fill and the remainder third-fill barrels. “This mix ensures subtle oak influence offering texture and breadth, rather than overt flavour. Importantly, the fermentations were 100% spontaneous, relying on native yeasts to build character and individuality in the wine.”
Lees work was minimal, being just enough to build mid-palate weight, before the wine rested on its lees for nine months. In keeping with Burger’s pursuit of freshness, no malolactic fermentation was allowed, preserving the crystalline acidity that has become a hallmark of the Wagon Trail and other Paul Clüver Chardonnays. After careful blending trials, the final cuvée was assembled from select barrels, fined and stabilised gently, and bottled with precision.
The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2024 is a vivid expression of both old vines and cool-climate winemaking. Aromas of citrus blossom, lime zest, and crisp green apple are layered with hints of almond and a whisper of struck flint. On the palate, the wine is taut and linear, yet textural, with a saline edge and lingering finish. The restrained oak gives subtle notes of brioche and hazelnut, but never distracts from the wine’s racy core.
For Burger, this wine is less about showmanship than about purity and integrity. “These vines have been part of our story for nearly 40 years,” he says. “They don’t shout, they speak quietly, with detail and with memory. Wagon Trail is about bottling that voice.”