Kumeu River

Kumeu, New Zealand

Chardonnay, Village — 2022

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  • Vineyard Profile

    • County Composition: Kumeu, Auckland & Hawkes Bay
    • Size: 14 hectares
    • Vine Age: Vines planted between 1989-2016
  • Vinification

    • 100% hand harvested

      100% whole-bunch pressed

      Indigenous-yeast fermentation

      100% malolactic fermentation

      67% stainless steel tank fermentation

      33% barrel fermentation (5 year old + French oak barriques)

  • Technical Information

    • Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
    • Alcohol: 13%
  • Tasting Notes

    • This wine is made from grapes grown in Kumeu and Hawkes Bay. It was fermented in a mix of old French oak barriques (33%) and stainless steel tanks (67%). The barrel fermentation adds some richness but little oak flavor, while the tank fermentation allows the vibrant fruit to shine through.

      The wine has lively lime and lemon aromas, a flinty, mineral edge, and hints of fig and white peach. The 2022 Vintage was another good year, with Hawkes Bay fruit making up 55% of the final blend. Our own Rays Road vineyard provided fruit for the blend, giving the wine an extra limestone edge. The mid-palate is weighty with peachy ripeness and crisp acidity that gives the wine a refreshing, cleansing quality. This wine is enjoyable as an aperitif, and even better when paired with fish and shellfish.