2020 Kumeu River Ray’s Road Chardonnay
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Region: Hawkes Bay, NZ
Viticulture: Conventional
Winemaker: Michael Brajkovich
Winery Established Date: 1944
Rays Road is Kumeu River’s new vineyard site in Hawkes Bay. This limestone hillside is at 180 m altitude, with a northerly aspect. It is dry-farmed to yield high quality grapes for wine under the Rays Road name for our Kumeu River label. This Chardonnay was hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in older French Oak barrels to give a wine that is zesty and fragrant, with mineral complexity that is very true to its site.
Sommeliers Recommendation:
Classic nose of citrus, salt and minerals. Some stone fruit and cream on the palate but finishes strong with a nice zesty acidity and flinty backbone. Delicious Chardonnay that has been crafted by one of New Zealand Best Chardonnay Winemaker. The grapes are stunning and a slight framing of oak, these chardonnays hold a permanent position on our best wine lists.
Just as the Brajkovich family has grown, so too has the winery itself. Extensions and additions mark the milestones that have seen business adapt and expand over the years. Today, the winery produces around 250,000 bottles annually from 30 hectares of its own vineyards in Kumeu, and another 10 hectares from local growers.
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