Bilancia Chardonnay 2022

Bilancia is a boutique winery located in Hawke's Bay, established in 1997 by winemakers Warren Gibson and Lorraine Leheny. Both had a deep love of Italy and shared a dream of making their own wine. Work had taken them around the globe, but on returning to New Zealand, they realised that dream, calling their venture Bilancia, meaning, ‘balance, equilibrium and harmony’ - qualities which are carried through all aspects of their winemaking.

The estate's flagship vineyard, La Collina (meaning ‘the hill’ in Italian) is situated on the slopes of Roys Hill. This unique hillside vineyard is primarily planted with Syrah on its upper terraces, while the lower areas cultivate Chardonnay and Viognier. Their exceptional Pinot Gris, is made using fruit from other select Hawke's Bay vineyards.

Bilancia's La Collina Syrah is considered by many to be the greatest syrah in New Zealand, this is a true icon and one which will effortlessly stand the test of time.

Grapes were hand-picked from three Hawke’s Bay vineyards and whole-bunch pressed straight to barrel. Fermentation with wild yeasts and 11 months ageing in French oak followed. No fining or cold stabilisation before bottling preserved the wine’s natural character.