Winemakers Collection Nelson Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2020

Trophy - Colin Harrison Memorial Trophy 2022, New Zealand
95 Points - Cameron Douglas MS, August 2021
95 Points (5 Stars) - Wine Orbit, July 2022
91 Points - Bob Campbell MW, © The Real Review, www.therealreview.com
Silver - The New Zealand International Wine Show 2021
Silver - The New Zealand International Wine Show 2022

Vineyard: Seifried Brightwater vineyard
Sugar at Harvest: 23.6 °Brix
Date of Harvest: Mid March 2020
pH of Wine: 3.38
T.A of Wine: 5.6g/L
Residual Sugar of Wine: dry <1g/L
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans: Yes

Our Brightwater vineyard lies about 15 km from the sea (10 km from the winery) and is nestled under the Richmond Ranges on the southern end of the Waimea Plains. The temperature at this site fluctuates more than any of our other vineyards due to its distance from the coastline.

The vineyard is exceptionally stony with free-draining soils, which is very hard on the farm equipment. The large stones however are vital for holding the warmth of the Nelson sun and for ripening the grapes. Lively fruit characters are evident in fruit harvested from this block.

Fruit was harvested and brought to the winery where it was immediately pressed and cooled for a 24-hour settling period. Following this the juice was racked and warmed before inoculation. Once the ferment was active it was gravity fed to new, one and two-year-old French barriques. The wine completed primary alcohol fermentation in oak before undergoing malolactic fermentation. During alcoholic fermentation the barrels were hand stirred periodically to build palate weight and structure. Following this the wine was left sitting on its yeast lees for a further 12 months before being racked from barrique, blended and prepared for bottling.