2019 Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Auntsfield

Marlborough, New Zealand

The 2019 Single Vineyard Chardonnay from Auntsfield Estate is a commanding expression of Marlborough’s oldest winemaking heritage, carrying forward the legacy of the region’s first vineyard and winery, established in 1892. Today, the Cowley family honours this pioneering spirit by crafting exceptional wines from the estate’s unique soils, shaped by ancient Greywacke rock and Loess clay. Their unwavering commitment to expressing site and season results in wines of purity, texture, and unmistakable identity.

This Chardonnay is crafted exclusively from hand-selected fruit grown on the Auntsfield Estate, where meticulous vineyard management and low yields ensure optimal ripeness and concentration. The 2019 vintage reveals a rich straw gold hue, hinting at the depth and complexity within. On the nose, a medley of ripe peaches, mandarin peel, and lemon tart is layered with elegant notes of brioche and crème brûlée, courtesy of careful French oak ageing. The palate follows with precision and power: luscious stone fruit, peach and dried apricot meld seamlessly with a subtle nutty character, evoking roasted hazelnuts. Structured yet refined, the wine offers a tight, linear profile underpinned by the vineyard’s hallmark minerality, culminating in a long, poised finish.

Whats in the bottle
100% Chardonnay

Notable Awards
95/100 WineOrbit.co.nz

£24.95
Taxes included.

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Auntsfield Estate holds the distinction of being Marlborough’s first commercial vineyard and winery, initially established in 1873 by pioneering winemaker David Herd. Recognising the region’s potential, Herd planted his first grapes in 1892 and produced wine until he died in 1905. His son-in-law continued the legacy until 1931, marking over 50 years of esteemed winemaking.

In 1998, Graeme and Linda Cowley revitalised the historic estate, uncovering its rich winemaking heritage. They replanted the vineyard with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, cultivating approximately 65 acres on north-facing, glacially carved slopes with Greywacke rock and fine clay soils.

Their sons, Ben and Luc Cowley, have since taken the helm, with Ben overseeing viticulture and Luc managing winemaking. The Cowleys emphasise sustainable and organic farming practices, utilising native yeast fermentations to craft wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Southern Valleys. Notably, Auntsfield’s vineyards are situated in rolling hills rather than the valley floor, providing clay-rich soils that impart depth and complexity to their wines.

Today, Auntsfield Estate continues to honour its storied past while producing premium wines that showcase the distinctive character of Marlborough’s Southern Valleys.

The fruit for this wine was hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed, allowing clean and intensely flavoured juice to be pressed from the grape. The juice was fermented in French oak barriques, with a combination of indigenous and cultured yeast, followed by extended barrel ageing on yeast lees. Maturation allowed the oak flavours to gently integrate with the fruit and yeast lees characters and develop increased richness and complexity in the wine

Alcohol by Volume
13.5%

Vintage
2019

Country
New Zealand

Size
750ml

Types
White Wine

Producer
Auntsfield

Grape
Chardonnay

Region
Marlborough, South Island

2019 Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Auntsfield

£24.95

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