Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Growing Region: Gisborne, New Zealand

Owners: Kirsten & Richard Searle

TASTING NOTE:
If you are looking for a bright, honest, fruit forward and refreshing style of white wine, to match with a wide variety of light cuisine and varied occasions, then look no further than this unoaked Gisborne Chardonnay.

The vineyard from where the fruit was grown, not only see's the first light of each new day, but some of the best care and attention in the vineyard. The grapes for this wine were sourced from Paul and Jenny Tietjens vineyard located on Ormond road in the 'Golden Slope' region of Gisborne.

When Jeremy the viticulturist was happy with the fruit quality - the grapes were machine harvested at night. No antioxidants were added to the fruit in the grape hoppers, allowing Chardonnay's natural phenolics to oxidise on there short journey to the winery. Once in the winery the grapes were crushed, gently pressed and cold settled for 36 hours. The juice was then allowed to spontaneously ferment with indigenous yeast and cool fermented until dry. Once dry the wine went through malolactic fermentation, when in balance the wine was sulphured and stabilized to secure the desired 'soft' fruit characters.

In the glass you are greeted by a straw colour with golden highlights. On the nose, ripe melon and peach notes with a hint of butterscotch and fig. The palate is alive, full of rich, ripe fruit, with peach, watermelon and an inherent soft mid-palate and a clean finish. Serve at 8C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well this coming summer; and for another 2-3 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with chicken salad, turkey, light pasta and vegetarian dishes, enjoy.

Fruit forward, with a clean finish.