Greystone Chardonnay 2021

Greystone Vineyard’s journey began in 2004 when the Thomas family discovered a stunning limestone-rich site in Waipara Valley, North Canterbury. They believed this land could produce wines with true character and depth, and they were right. From the start, Greystone committed to organic and biodynamic viticulture, ensuring their wines reflected the purity of their environment. Over time, they have gained international recognition, especially for their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling.

Under winemaker Dom Maxwell, they pioneered the Vineyard Ferment Pinot Noir, where wild fermentation occurs directly in the vineyard, a groundbreaking method that captures the essence of the land. Today, Greystone stands as a leader in New Zealand’s sustainable wine movement, consistently producing wines of elegance, complexity, and exceptional quality.

Grapes were hand-picked from two main vineyard blocks - one limestone-dominant and the other clay-rich. The two clones, Mendoza and Clone 95, were cultivated organically. Grapes from the limestone block were whole-bunch pressed, while those from the clay block were foot-crushed before pressing. Fermentation occurred spontaneously in French oak barriques, utilising wild yeasts and bacteria for both primary and malolactic fermentation. The wine matured on its lees for 10 months in French oak barrels before being bottled without fining.