Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay

They’re one of NZ’s most iconic wine producers on the world stage. The family are pioneers in the NZ wine industry. They produce some of the very best Chardonnay you’ll find anywhere in Aotearoa. They’re the Brajkovich family and you’ll find them in the north Auckland suburb of Kumeu. Next to a river.

Slap the words ‘White Burgundy’ on the label and you’d be paid double and then some. Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay is one of NZ’s most iconic Chardonnays and, let’s be honest, it’s bloody well priced for what’s in the bottle!

Praise comes flying in from far and wide but we think Master of Wine Lisa Perrotti-Brown, writing for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, sums it up nicely:

“If you can taste history, duty, and family pride in a glass, it’s there in the Kumeu River Chardonnays… now producing some of New Zealand’s greatest Chardonnays, not to mention the world’s.”

This is a wine that is highly sought after every vintage and usually sells out well before the next one is ready to roll. So we’re bloody excited to see this latest 2023 vintage hit the warehouse.

And there’s plenty to be excited about with the Brajkovich crew clearly pretty happy with how this one came out. “We are particularly careful in selecting only the very best grapes from these vineyards for our Kumeu River Estate label.” said Michael.

He went on to say “Careful selection in 2023 was crucial in maintaining the quality and high standard of the Estate Chardonnay that we have set ourselves for over 35 years. Due to the lighter vintage the alcohol is
a moderate 12.5% and no new oak was used in the vinification of this wine. There was a high proportion of 1 & 2 year old barrels and this has provided a beautiful balance to the Chardonnay which is a little more citrus in 2023 rather than peachy. The wine begins with a fragrant lemon aroma with hint of white peach. The palate silky and balanced with a lovely citrus finish. Delicious now but, as always, benefits from bottle age of 4-6 years.”