Kumeu River - Kumeu Village - Chardonnay 2017
Kumeu River Wines is located next to Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand . The estate was founded by the Brajkovich family in 1944, originally from Croatia. Kumeu River Wines comprises 30 hectares of vineyards, which are mostly clay soils overlying a sandstone base. These types of soil retain enough water at depth, even during the summer months, so the vineyard does not require irrigation, an essential factor in the quality of the grapes. Although it's well north of New Zealand's other wine regions, Kumeu stays cool thanks to its proximity to the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The estate is particularly known for its Burgundian-style Chardonnay, of which it produces several expressions. In 2014, a historic blind tasting in London resulted in four of Kumeu River Wines' Chardonnay wines triumphing against a range of Bourgogne Villages and Premiers Crus from top producers. In 2017, the Brajkovich family expanded into the Hawkes Bay area by purchasing Ray's Road Vineyard.
Kumeu Village Chardonnay is made from sustainably grown grapes in Kumeu (45%) and Hawkes Bay (55%), hand-harvested and fermented using only indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation occurs entirely. The wine is aged in stainless steel vats (around 60%) and in old French oak barrels (around 40%).
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay