Chardonnay
75cl * 14% ABV * Auckland, New Zealand
Founded by the Brajkovich family in 1944, Kumeu River is one of the first wineries in Auckland. Their village Chardonnay is a perfect blend of fruit from their vineyards in Hawkes Bay and Kumeu. According to Paul Brajkovich, “this is a wine where we always have a bottle in the fridge. It is the perfect aperitif Chardonnay and palate cleanser – and pairs so well with seafood. At Hawkes Bay we have lots of limestone in the soils, which brings minerality and lightness of step to this wine.”
Produced from grapes grown in Kumeu 42% and Hawkes Bay 58% this wine was fermented 38% in old French oak barrels, and 62% in stainless steel tanks. The barrel fermentation provides some richness but very little oak influence. Combined with the tank fermentation this allows the vibrant fruit to show through beautifully with lively lime and lemon aromas and a flinty, mineral palate with hints of fig and white peach.
The 2025 vintage was of an outstanding quality, both in Kumeu and Hawkes Bay, with beautiful fruit aroma, flavour and concentration. The Rays Road vineyard in Hawkes Bay made up 32% of the final blend, which gives the wine a distinctive limestone edginess. The citrus elements of Chardnonay shine through with a refreshingly crisp finish. This wine is deligtful as an aperitif, and even better to drink with seafood.
'Pale greenish straw. Real grip and zest and very much house style. Zesty citrus and mouth-filling even if not complex. Bone-dry finish. Slight veginess on the end. VGV' 16.5pts, Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, September 2025