Kumeu River 2025 Kumeu Village Chardonnay

Tasting Notes

Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, the 2025 cuvée is a blend of fruit from the historic Kumeu region and the Brajkovich family’s Rays Road vineyard in Hawke's Bay. The wine is crafted with meticulous attention to detail: it undergoes indigenous yeast fermentation and complete malolactic fermentation. The vinification process features 38% fermentation and aging in older French oak barriques to add texture, while 62% is fermented in stainless steel to preserve the vibrant, fresh fruit characteristics and crisp acidity.

The wine pours a pale straw color and opens with a highly energized, mineral-driven nose of lime, citrus, and subtle stone fruit. On the palate, it is crisp and focused, delivering bright citrus flavors layered with delicate almond cream and a flinty, stony complexity. Moderate alcohol and lively acidity give the mid-palate weight and a lovely textured mouthfeel, ultimately culminating in a clean, dry, and mouthwatering saline finish.

Because of its bright acidity, bone-dry profile, and gentle creaminess, this Chardonnay is the quintessential food wine. It shines as an apéritif but is exceptionally well-suited to pair with all kinds of seafood, including freshly shucked oysters, pan-seared white fish, and light creamy shellfish dishes. It also pairs delightfully with light summer salads, goat cheese, roast chicken, and fresh appetizers.