Kumeu River

Estate Chardonnay

2022
Auckland
New Zealand
Say It
KOO-mee-oo RIV-er Shar-do-NAY
Varietal
Chardonnay
$38
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Palate Character

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GRAPE(S)
Chardonnay
Auckland, New Zealand
GRAPE VARIETAL(S)
Chardonnay
100% Shar-do-NAY
Chardonnay may be the most versatile white wine grape, often seen as a blank canvas. It displays various flavors and aromas depending on where it is grown and more specifically, how it is made. It can range in Palate Character from Bright & Crisp to Rich & Full depending on the climate. It is also particularly malleable and highly affected by winemaking choices like as malolactic fermentation, lees stirring, barrel fermentation and ageing practices.
Country / State
New Zealand
Region
Auckland
Producer
Kumeu River
Vintage
2022
Kumeu River chardonnay clusterKumeu River chardonnay cluster

Kumeu River

Auckland

Auckland’s Kumeu River was founded in 1944 by the Blajkovich family, immigrants from Croatia. From the early 1980s, the winery focused on single varietals, a practice that was relatively new to the area and which, over time, has become recognized for making terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Kumeu River VineyardsKumeu River Vineyards
Kumeu River barrel tastingKumeu River barrel tasting

This New Zealand winery farms 30 hectares of vines planted on clay and sandstone soils cooled by ocean breezes. Non-irrigated vineyards are harvested by hand with the grapes fermented by indigenous yeasts and aged on their lees in French oak barrels. 

Kumeu River’s wines balance both ripeness and racy acidity, bringing focus to the purity of New Zealand terroir accomplished through classic, old-world Burgundian winemaking traditions.