Vintage conditions

2020 was a great year for Chardonnay in North Canterbury, an early warm spring without frost followed by good flowering. A gentle Autumn allowed even ripening before harvest. Organically
managed, the combination of under-vine cultivation & fewer irrigation cycles has driven the Chardonnay roots deep into the soil. The Chardonnay is a blend of two main vineyard blocks. One block is limestone dominant, while the other is clay.

Vinification details

The hand-picked Chardonnay blocks are processed without the use of additives, pressing the Limestone block as whole bunches and the Clay block after foot crushing first. Each block was fermented separately in French oak barriques without intervention, allowing the wild yeasts and bacteria to perform primary and malo-lactic fermentation through to completion. Barrel aged for 10 months before estate bottled without fining.

Vintage conditions

2019 was a small year for Chardonnay, due to limited flowering which required careful shoot selection and meticulous canopy management, allowing the best fruit to ripen over a settled autumn. Organically managed, the combination of undervine cultivation and fewer irrigation cycles has driven the Chardonnay roots deep into the soil.

Vinification details

The Chardonnay blocks are hand picked and processed without the use of additives. The Limestone block is pressed as whole bunches and the Clay block pressed after foot crushing. Each block was fermented separately in French oak barriques without intervention, allowing the wild yeasts and bacteria to perform primary and malo-lactic fermentation through to completion. Then barrel aged for 10 months before estate bottling without fining.

Vintage conditions

2018 was a generous year for Chardonnay, with careful shoot selection and meticulous canopy management, the best fruit was able to ripen perfectly over the long warm autumn.

Vinification details

The Chardonnay is a blend of two blocks and two clones – clone 95 and Mendoza. B95 is known for its big bunches and consistent performance, while Mendoza is known for its small, open grape bunches, intense citrus flavours and chalky minerality.

Grapes were hand-picked and processed without the use of additives. The Limestone block was pressed as whole bunches,  the Clay block pressed after foot crushing. Each block was fermented separately in French oak barriques without intervention, allowing the wild yeasts and bacteria to perform primary and malolactic fermentation through to completion. Barrel aged for 11 months before tank ageing for 3 months. Estate bottled without fining.

Vintage conditions

2017 was a low cropping vintage, which lead to more intensely flavoured fruit.

Vinification details

The Chardonnay is a blend of two blocks and two clones – clone 95 and Mendoza. B95 is known for its big bunches and consistent performance. While Mendoza is known for its small, open grape bunches, intense citrus flavours and chalky minerality.