Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2023
Kumeu River was founded in 1944 by the Brajkovich family who emigrated from Dalmatia in southwestern Croatia to New Zealand. 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 the Stelvin closure (screw cap closure) for close to 20 years. Michael works side by side with his mother, Melba, who although her husband Maté passed away in 1992, she has remained involved in all aspects of the family business. In 2014, Melba Brajkovich was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the wine industry and the community. Also involved in the family business are Michael's siblings: Marianna, Paul and Milan who take the lead on Sales, Marketing, and Vineyard Management for Kumeu River.
Hand harvested, whole-bunch pressed, indigenous-yeast fermentation, french oak barrels, 20% new oak, 100% barrel fermentation, 100% malolactic fermentation, and 11 months maturation in barrel.
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Appellation | Kumeu |
| Vineyard | Estate |
| Alcohol | 12.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | NEW ZEALAND |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
Kumeu River Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu Region. They are particularly careful in selecting only the very best grapes from these vineyards for our Kumeu River Estate label.
