Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2022

Kumeu River Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu Region. We are particularly careful in selecting only the very best grapes from these vineyards for our Kumeu River Estate label. The Kumeu vineyards that contribute to this wine gave a blend of Chardonnay that is particularly ripe, peachy, and not only delicious to drink but also has the concentration and lingering complexity that we expect from this wine. This is a quality Chardonnay of style and pedigree that we know has the capability of aging as well as any of its predecessors.

Country: New Zealand
Region: Kumeu
Year: 2022
Barrel Fermentation: French Oak, 20% New Oak 100% malo-lactic fermentation 
Maturation in Barrel: 11 months 
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Founded in 1944 by Mick Brajkovich, their wife Katé, and their son Maté, Kumeu River was one of the early pioneers in Auckland, New Zealand, that helped to establish its reputation as a world-class wine region. Before that, they lived In their small Croatian village of Živogošće, Mick and Katé Brajkovich had also farmed small plots of land, and had experience tending vines and making their own wine. After a few years of working in the gum fields, the family moved to Henderson in West Auckland. Still family-owned and run, Kumeu River continues to pioneer new frontiers: winemaker Michael Brajkovich became New Zealand’s first member of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine, London, and has been testing and championing screw cap closures for nearly 20 years. In 2017 Ray's Road vineyard acquisition. The Brajkovich acquire their first primary vineyard site outside of Kumeu in Hawke's Bay.