Neudorf Tiritiri Chardonnay 2023

Neudorf Vineyards, established in 1978 by Tim and Judy Finn in Nelson, has become one of the country's most celebrated boutique wineries. Bob Campbell, esteemed MW, says of Neudorf, ""I cannot think of another New Zealand wine producer that has been making top wines across their entire range as consistently as Neudorf over three decades.""

Part of the secret is the place – the ancient gravelly soils and gentle climate of the Upper Moutere region – which helps produce concentrated, expressive fruit. Part of it is the organic regime in the vineyard, as well as Todd Steven’s minimal intervention in the winery. But much of it is down to the people who combine hard work with winemaking which comes from the heart as well as the head.

The grapes were hand-harvested between March 14th and 27th 2023, and 100% whole bunch pressed. The juice had no or minimal settling, and underwent partial wild yeast fermentation with high solids, enhancing varietal expression and complexity. Fermentation occurred in medium toast 10% new French oak barrel, with partial malolactic fermentation being employed in the spring. The wine was matured for 10 months on full lees with monthly lees stirring. The wine was unfined and and coarsely filtered before bottling.