Le Chant - Petri

French flair and South African determination have long been intertwined in the fabric of the Cape, a camaraderie spanning centuries, each contributing to the rich and respected fine wine legacy of South Africa. Le Chant embodies this enduring wine relationship, marrying Old World heritage with the contemporary New World. Our mutual efforts are etched by passion to bring forth exceptional wines which are classical, distinctive and pure. The striding Rooster has for many a decade been the personification of French flair. It is when the Rooster is bursting in song (Le Chant), that it reveals its exuding confidence, pride, and determination to the world. It is these shared characteristics, entwined with South African resilience, that has brought our like-minded proprietors into unison of song and wine. Between False Bay and Le Chant’s vineyards are only gently rolling hills – nothing to impede the progress of the sea breezes inland. Le Chant is sited on what was formerly four separate properties, the centre of which was known as Eikenhof, a wine farm in Stellenbosch’s Polkadraai Hills.
The terroir is characterised by gently rolling hills of varying elevations between 220 and 280m above sea level. The slopes face predominantly south and southwest, which exposes them to the cooling sea breezes of predominantly False Bay and, when conditions are right, Table Bay. Hailing from the Polkadraai region, this signature blend takes the lead from Merlot while harmonising classic Bordeaux varieties with Shiraz and Sangiovese. The result is an intriguingly vibrant wine that lingers on the palate, capable of ageing for another 8 to 10 years. Because of the microclimate that arises from the combination of the breezes and the aspect, and long ripening period, Le Chant’s grapes retain their acidity, which reflects as an edgy acid tension. Making wines that embody origin is the ultimate outcome we strive for. We also respect nature and the preservation thereof. The Le Chant team brings together several people with a proven track record for wine excellence and a passion for the land and wine without compare. The Oddo family; a fifth-generation vigneron from the Polkadraai, Willie Joubert, who manages the farm; technical director Schalk-Willem Joubert, a seasoned and highly-acclaimed figure in the Cape Winelands; and winemaker Petri Venter, whose youth and enthusiasm both inspires and galvanises the cellar team. A shared passion for great wine is what drives this collective, to bring wines of the Polkadraai to homes globally. If not traversing mountainous trails or swimming from Robben Island to the mainland, Petri Venter can be found plying his trade in the belly of our cellar. Having grown up surrounded by the great vineyards of Stellenbosch, it was with ease that a path was etched out into a career of winemaking. Following the completion of his B.Sc degree in viticulture and Oenology, Petri gained working experience in both South Africa and France.He then settled into a permanent winemaking role at the iconic Taaibosch Wine estate, where he has been the assistant to Schalk-Willem Joubert for three years. With the development of Le Chant wines in the Polkadraai region, by the Oddo Family, Petri was a natural choice to lead the new winemaking direction.