2025 Estate Chardonnay, Kumeu River *Magnum*

Auckland’s Golden Thread

Generous yet beautifully precise, Kumeu River’s 2025 Estate Chardonnay brings together ripe orchard fruit, savoury complexity and the composure of fine white Burgundy. Peach and juicy pear unfold alongside grapefruit and lime zest, lifted by white blossom and a delicate herbal note. Toasted almond, gently smoky oak and hints of freshly baked bread add depth, while a fine flinty character keeps the aromas bright and compelling. It is a wonderfully complete Chardonnay, with each layer contributing something distinct.

The palate has a creamy, finely woven texture, filling the mouth with ripe fruit before vibrant acidity draws everything into focus. There is real substance here, balanced by a chalky grip and a lightly saline edge that carry through a long, citrus-led finish. French oak adds polish and subtle spice without overwhelming the fruit. 

In magnum, it makes a particularly handsome centrepiece for a generous table, or a thoughtful gift for someone who appreciates beautifully crafted Chardonnay.

For when: The menu calls for something special and your first thought is white Burgundy.

Pairs with: Roast chicken with tarragon cream, pan-fried scallops with brown butter, lobster thermidor, crab and lemon linguine, wild mushroom risotto, or mature Comté.

Estate Chardonnay brings together fruit from six vineyard sites in the Kumeu region, selected for their quality and complementary character. It captures a broader picture of the area than the individual vineyard bottlings, combining different parcels and Chardonnay clones into a wine with breadth, detail and a recognisable sense of place. This is the heart of Kumeu River’s reputation: carefully made Chardonnay with the texture to satisfy and the freshness to keep you interested.

The 2025 growing season was particularly favourable for Kumeu River, with consistently warm, predominantly dry conditions and few temperature extremes. After two smaller harvests, yields returned to more normal levels without becoming excessive. A largely dry picking period allowed the team to bring in healthy, flavourful fruit, giving the wines their appealing concentration and texture while retaining the estate’s characteristic energy.