• Subtle oak
• Quince & pear
• Rock melon
• Dry finish

"Beautifully fruited and fragrant, the bouquet shows golden peach, mango, cedar and nougat characters, leading to a flavoursome palate that's succulent and creamy. It's attractively composed and expressed, making it immediately appealing. At its best: now to 2023" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jun 2020.

This superb Chardonnay is a pale straw gold in colour. The nose displays aromas of quince, pear and rock melon which are gently supported by a subtle oak background. Full malolactic fermentation has added complexity and softness to the wine without creating an overtly buttery style. This has been further enhanced by the use of older oak that allows the fruit to be expressed without being dominated by smoky aromas. The palate has a fullness to it which gives it good length while at the same time finishing quite refreshingly dry.

100% Waipara Valley, North Canterbury. The Waipara Valley is snuggled in the lee of the Teviotdale hills that provide protection from cool easterly winds but are open to the warming northwest winds. The protective Southern Alps ensure low rainfall, abundant sunshine and often very warm summers. The hot, dry nor’wester winds are tempered by the cooling sea breezes and the occasional cold southerly fronts.

The 2019 Vintage in Waipara, North Canterbury was exceptional. Rainfall in the summer/autumn was only half that of the previous season and it fell at the perfect time for vine health. The lower rainfall meant that disease pressure was greatly reduce, allowing all fruit to be picked in pristine condition. The season in Waipara was also the coolest of any of the major regions in NZ. This coolness has had the effect of enhancing fruit flavours and creating wines of great elegance.

The fruit was harvested at maximum flavour as assessed through frequent tasting in the vineyard by the winemaker. It was very gently pressed to avoid harsh phenolic extraction and the juice allowed to cold settle. The clear juice was fermented with a selection of Chardonnay yeast and this was followed by a full malolactic fermentation to add complexity to the palate. The wine has been fermented to dryness with no sugar left in the wine. This provides a refreshingly dry finish that is complemented by the wine’s palate weight and structure.