Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2022
Founded in 1944 by Mick Brajkovich, wife Katé and 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. 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 close to 20 years.
Hunting Hill is very distinctive in its terroir typicity, with piercing lemon/lime fruit lift and florality on the nose, richness and volume in the mouth followed by lingering acidity and minerality on the finish. This is an absolute classic example of how great the Chardonnay grape can be: A beautifully powerful, yet elegant and complex wine with long term aging ability.
Hand harvested
Whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous-yeast fermentation
French oak barrels, 25% new oak
100% barrel fermentation
100% malolactic fermentation
11 months maturation in barrel
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Appellation | Kumeu |
| Vineyard | Hunting Hill Vineyard |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | NEW ZEALAND |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and became a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend. Occupying the slope overlooking Mate’s Vineyard, it has always contributed lovely ripe and rich fruit to the Estate Chardonnay. Hunting Hill was replanted in 2001 and is now even better than before, giving beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive mealy minerality.
Cultivation: Sustainable
Size: 3.37 hectares (8 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 2001
Clones: 15
Soil: Clay loam
Elevation: 100 meters (328 feet)
Exposure: North facing but sloping slightly to Southwest
