• French oak
• Stone fruit & citrus
• Vanilla & subtle spice
• Rich & flavourful

"This is splendidly expressed on the nose with ripe apricot, rockmelon, vanilla and roasted cashew aromas, leading to a silky-smooth palate that's juicy and rounded. Wonderfully composed and delightfully expressed with succulent fruit flavours and creamy texture, offering terrific drinking. At its best: now to 2026" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"Bright, even, pale yellow. The nose is elegantly full, with aromas of stonefruit, apple, underlined flint, minerals and nutty elements. Medium-full bodied, aromas of peach and nectarine melded with toffee apple, unfolding minerals, cashew butter and spice. The mouthfeel is gently creamy, well-balanced by lively acidity. Delicate spice adds interest and power to an elegant finish. This Chardonnay shows a stonefruit core, spice and sleek oak interest and a fine acid line" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews

"A very enticing bouquet of complexity and power, aromas of white fleshed stone fruits with a lemon seam, then scents of gun flint and stones, baking spices from barrel highlighting a cashew nut and vanilla combination layering in complexity. Delicious on the palate with a satin-cream texture touching first then contrasting  acid line and flavours that mirror the bouquet. Vanilla spice and gunflint, a freshness and youthful energy. A modern expression, well made and lengthy. Best drinking from late 2023 through 2029" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Oct 2023

Our Rapaura Springs Reserve Chardonnay is rich and flavourful. Each bottle is bursting with honeysuckle, white peach, nectarine and fresh citrus, all complemented by toasty vanilla and subtle spiced oak characters.

The 2022 growing season began with significant rain, marking the end of three years of drought in Marlborough. A period of warmth in early December produced a welcome and better than average fruit-set. In late February we had a couple of significant rains which replenished the soil moisture levels that had reduced during summer. During the two weeks that followed we had cool days and nights which meant the acidities remained on the high side. Harvest coincided with the peak of New Zealand’s Omicron outbreak, which put some pressure on staffing. Excellent teamwork meant we were able to harvest our fruit as it was ready, retaining vibrant acidity and concentrated fruit flavour.

After harvest, the Chardonnay fruit was pressed, racked clear, and the juice fermented with 25% new oak. A partial secondary malolactic fermentation has softened the wine and added extra texture and complexity to the palate.

Our Reserve wines are expertly crafted from selected vineyards with impressive flavour concentration and palate weight. Each bottle of Rapaura Springs tells the story of a lifetime. Of water and wine, and of generations of family working with nature. Our label depicts the rocky aquifer at our home vineyard, and the pristine springs that connect it to our land. We make exceptional wines that reflect our remarkable landscapes, pure waterways and passionate people.