From the vineyard…

The 2022 growing season continues the cool theme of the last two seasons of 2021 & 2020.  Although all three were cool, each vintage has expressed differently and 2022 is no exception.  This was from the get-go as we endured our second coldest spring on record. In comparison, the combined heat accumulation of October and November was over 60% lower than the average.  Thankfully, we managed to avoid serious frosts during this time, in most part due to the higher rainfall and associated cloud cover.  The cool trend continued for most of the summer outside of a warmer-than-average January that gave our vines a welcome push along with the month’s slightly above-average rainfall. Rainfall for December and February was well below average, especially in February when no rain fell for the entire month.  That said, the effect of a dry February aided the concentration of our fruit in this somewhat cooler year.  Autumn too was cooler than average, especially April, but by then we were ready to pick at optimal ripeness.  Overall, we are delighted with 2022 which expresses beautifully with its trinity of deep fragrance, breadth of flavour and fine mineral length.

From the winery…

Picked in the cool of the morning, Chardonnay from three distinct blocks were whole bunch pressed to tank with cloudy juice transferred to barrel the following day.  Indigenous yeasts dictated ferment in various formats ranging from 300 and 500 litre barrels.  From there barrels were stirred monthly until minimal sulphur was added in late Spring once malolactic ferment (MLF) was complete.   Our 2022 Chardonnay has gone through 100% MLF along with 28% new oak with minimal filtration before bottling.

Cellaring: Drinking beautifully now with 10+ years of cellaring potential.