2023 Martinborough Vineyards Home Block Chardonnay

Its Origins

Free-draining soils, hot summers and long, dry autumns make Martinborough the perfect region for growing traditional cool-climate wines. Founded in 1980, Martinborough Vineyard was a trailblazer in the region and the first to plant the variety for which the region is best known, Pinot Noir. MV now lay claim to the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the district. Since the first vintage was released by pharmacist-turned-winemaker Russell Schultz in 1984, they have consistently produced world-class wines from the home block, Martinborough Terraces blocks, and more recently, the Burnt Spur vineyards. A big move towards organic/sustainable vineyards is currently in place. Their Chardonnay vines are some of the oldest plantings on the Martinborough Terrace. A naturally low-vigour site which ensuring consistently ripe, high quality grapes. The fruit is carefully hand harvested and then whole-bunch pressed. Indigenous yeasts are used in the fermentation inside French oak, carefully chosen for elegance to complement the fine structure of the wine. Aged in barrels on lees for twelve months, this wine underwent 90% malolactic fermentation and light lees stirring before bottling.