2023 Eden Valley Chardonnay

In a normal growing season we need to carefully manage our Chardonnay to ensure we have ample canopy for flavour development and also for sun protection. In 2023, aside from a short warm burst over Christmas, we had gentle growing conditions allowing steadier ripening for great flavour development. We harvested our Chardonnay over a week later than in 2022, in the early hours of the morning while fruit was at its coolest. The fruit was crushed and pressed off skins immediately on arrival to the winery. The juice was cold settled, before being racked, with a decent proportion of light fluffy lees going into ferment. Ferment was initiated in tank and once active the fermenting juice was stirred and transferred to a
combination of new and seasoned French oak for completion of primary and malolactic
fermentation. Post ferment; time on lees, coupled with regular battonage helps to balance the
vibrant flavour and creamy palate weight in this wine. - Jules Ashmead & Brock Harrison