Plaisir Petit Plaisir Chardonnay 2020

The vineyards of the Plaisir estate stretch out at the foot of the Simonsberg. It was founded on 1 December 1693 by Charles Marais, a Huguenot who was looking for a better life for his family in South Africa. Marais was one of the few Frenchmen who already had experience in viticulture when he arrived in the Cape and the estate was one of the first in the region to cultivate vines. Situated between Franschhoek and Paarl, the French influences can still be felt on the estate today. The name Plaisir comes from the founding family's hometown in France, Le Plessis Marly. Over time, it became Plaisir de Merle, which means "pleasure".

The wines of the estate are also a great pleasure. The focus is on the grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, which originally come from France, and the wines are matured in French oak barrels. The grape varieties are fermented individually and blended only shortly before bottling so that they can develop their character in the best possible way. The result: complex wines that are both spicy and fruity. The white wines of the Plaisir collection are well balanced, while the red wines convince with well-integrated oak notes and soft tannins. The creations of the Reserve Range are incredibly complex and the red wine blend Grand Plaisir is the flagship of the estate. Visitors to Plaisir can taste the expressive wines in the tasting room, which is located in a converted barn dating back to 1823, or enjoy the wonderful atmosphere in the shade of old oak trees. The restaurant Plaisir Market serves light meals.

In addition to the expressive wines that tantalise the senses, Plaisir has plenty to offer for the eyes. The Manor House, built in 1764, is one of the earliest and finest examples of unique Cape Dutch architecture, and the Water Mill – a replica of the historic mill created by Jacob Marais for his wife Maria in the 18th century – are architecturally interesting structures and keep the history of the estate alive to this day. This is also true of the wine cellar, built in 1993, which echoes many symbolic elements. Particularly striking are the gargoyles in the shape of griffins on the walls, which are supposed to ward off evil spirits, and the doves on the windows are a sign of peace and the new South Africa. The griffin – a mythical creature that is half eagle and half lion – also adorns the winery's logo. According to legend, a griffin guards great treasures and can thus be understood as the guardian over the vineyards of Plaisir. By combining the farsightedness of the eagle and the courage of the lion, the animal embodies the visions of previous generations on the one hand and serves as a signpost for the future on the other. To ensure this future, Plaisir is committed to flora and fauna and is one of only 38 wine estates in the Cape to have been awarded the coveted status of Conservation Champion by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).