In 2014 we planted around 10,000 Chardonnay vines. They were interplanted between the Riesling vines (yes, the ones that look like twigs in the ground!) which were eventually removed. We planted them near the frost fans as they are an early ripening grape and need all the help they can get to survive spring frosts.
My father chose newly developed clones - that produced very small berries which would enable the production of very high quality wines. Most Chardonnay in New Zealand is the mendoza clone - the workhorse of Chardonnay - but not known for high quality production. Our first crops in 2017, 2018 and 2019 showed promise but it was 2020 that enabled us to do what we set out to do over 7 years ago and that was produce a truly stunning Chardonnay. We're now on a journey with our Chardonnay to see where it can take us!
