The Producer
Lautus — Latin for pure, elegant, and sumptuous — was born in 2017 when founder and oenologist Reg Holder set out to create South Africa’s first genuine de-alcoholised wine. With a BSc in Agriculture from Stellenbosch University and stints in France, Australia, and the USA before returning home, Reg spent over a decade at celebrated estates including Neil Ellis Wines and Delheim. The inspiration? His wife’s pregnancy and the desire for a wine that delivered the real thing — complexity, depth, and pleasure — without the alcohol.
Vintage & Terroir
The Chardonnay grapes are sourced from select vineyards in the Coastal Region of the Western Cape, where the maritime influence ensures cool nights and extended ripening. South Africa only began importing Chardonnay vines in 1980, but the grape has thrived in the Cape’s diverse terroirs. These carefully chosen sites deliver the ripe stone fruit character and natural acidity that form the backbone of this wine.
In the Cellar
After a traditional Chardonnay vinification with gentle oak ageing to add complexity and spice, the wine passes twice through Lautus’s proprietary spinning cone technology at low temperatures. The first pass captures and preserves the wine’s delicate aromas and flavours in a concentrated distillate, while the second gently removes the alcohol. The aroma distillate is then blended back with the juice to produce a de-alcoholised Chardonnay of genuine depth and finesse, finishing at less than 0.5% ABV.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Light straw with a bright, inviting sheen.
Nose: Summer stone fruit — white peach and apricot — with fresh orange and kumquat notes and a hint of oak spice.
Palate: Generous and full-bodied for a de-alcoholised white, with ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours underpinned by subtle oak complexity. Bright, balanced acidity keeps everything fresh and lively.
Finish: Refreshing and lingering, with a clean citrus farewell and gentle spice.
Food Pairing
A natural partner for creamy chicken dishes, pan-fried linefish with a lemon butter sauce, or a rich mushroom pasta. It also pairs beautifully with soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert, or roasted butternut salad. Serve at 8–10°C for the best expression of fruit and oak.
Technical Details
| Grape(s) | Chardonnay |
| Region | Coastal Region, Western Cape |
| Alcohol | < 0.5% ABV (De-alcoholised) |
| De-alcoholisation | Spinning Cone Technology |
| Oak | Gentle oak ageing prior to de-alcoholisation |
| Closure | Screw cap |
| Calories | 16 kcal / 100ml |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Case Size | 6 bottles |
Our Guarantee
Every case of Lautus Chardonnay is backed by our 100% Happiness Assured! Guarantee. If you’re not completely delighted, get in touch and we’ll make it right — no fuss, no fine print, just great wine and happy customers.
