Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay

Announced as the No.1 NZ Chardonnay in Cuisine magazine’s annual Chardonnay tasting!

Church Road’s label celebrating the life of wine legend Tom McDonald – in some circles nicknamed the “Father of red wine in New Zealand”.

Tom was a spotty faced teenager in 1921 when his career in wine kicked off. Over the next 55 years he turned winemaking in Hawke’s Bay on its head, scooping many accolades for his complex Chardonnay and Bordeaux style reds. You don’t get awarded the Order of the British Empire for nothing you know!

Scoring 93/100 with The Real Review’s Master of Wine Bob Campbell who said “Bright, fresh and tangy chardonnay with grapefruit, vanilla, white peach, nectarine, oyster shell and spicy French oak flavours. Vibrant, high energy wine that has been made with a light touch.”

Kiwi critic Michael Cooper calls this “Typically a great buy, with greater richness and complexity than most $25 Chardonnays” – he ain’t wrong!

And then the wine went Global taking out Gold at the prestigeous Drinks Business Global Chardonnay Masters 2024 in London! Wow, what a wine for the money!

In tune with Tom’s passion for French winemaking this Chardonnay has had the bells and whistles treatment from today’s Church Road winemaking squad. We’re talking hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and wild fermentation in French oak. An elegant style that doesn’t go over board with the use of oak – a style of Chardonnay that makes a damn fine food wine.

Try seafood like scallops, crayfish and oily salmon. Don’t be afraid to include some creamy, buttery sauces in there too!