Moya Meaker: SA’s best-kept Chardonnay secret

Mar 6, 2026 | All, Local wines | 0 comments

Elgin produces world-class Chardonnay, and Moya Meaker’s 2024 offers the best quality-to-price ratio from this benchmark region.

The vineyards were planted as recently as 2021, yet it’s remarkably complex. This is what happens when vines are planted in the right place. ‘The palate is almost ethereal in its delicacy – pure fruit and brisk acidity before a pithy finish. Poised, vivid, taut,’ says Christian Eedes, scoring it 94 points.

Moya Meaker Elgin Chardonnay 2024 wine bottle displayed with a rating of 94 points, priced at R350, with an "Order Now" button.

Established in 2010 by Canadian-born David Curl, the former owner of Château Gaby in Bordeaux, Moya Meaker lies in an amphitheatre formed by surrounding mountains. At 320m altitude, the vines are exposed to large diurnal shifts, allowing winemaker Jean Smit to craft a Chardonnay with bright acidity and plush fruit density. Their parcel of ancient Bokkeveld shale soils offers the perfect terroir for this elusive Burgundian variety.

View the full 2024 release.

Tasting Notes:

Moya Meaker W.O. Elgin Chardonnay 2024

‘NEW. From blocks planted in 2021 on Habibi. Fermented and matured for 10 months in 1,000-litre foudre. Gorgeous aromatics of pear, lime, lemon, apple, floral perfume, talcum powder and a slight nutty note. The palate is almost ethereal in its delicacy – pure fruit and brisk acidity before a pithy finish. Poised, vivid, taut. Alc: 12.5%.’Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100

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