Matawhero Irwin Chardonnay 2020

Established in 1968 by Bill Irwin, Matawhero gained prominence for introducing innovative viticultural practices and unconventional grape varieties to New Zealand. His son, Denis Irwin, continued this legacy, imparting his own colourful style and winning fame for his Gewurztraminer and Chardonnays. He passed on the baton to Richard and Kirsten Searle, who acquired the winery in 2008, They are the trusted Kaitiaki (guardians) of Matawhero and continue to develop the iconic winery and share the distinctive wine styles of the Tairawhiti-Gisborne region.

They continue to produce an ‘Irwin Chardonnay’ honouring the founders, with a limited release, barrel fermented Chardonnay,. They also produce ‘Single Vineyard’ series which showcases the unique characteristics of specific vineyard blocks, and a ‘Church House’ series, which pays homage to the original winery established in a former church.

Hand-harvested in the cool of the early morning, the whole bunch grapes were gently pressed, and the juice was slightly clarified before being pressed directly to barrel. The wine was fermented and aged in a combination of American and Hungarian oak barriques, with 30% being new oak. Primary fermentation used indigenous yeast cultures. Subsequently, a full malolactic fermentation was conducted, followed by aging for 10 months on its lees. The wine underwent careful fining before bottling.