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.

Grapes were hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed. Minimal settling before fermentation with wild yeast in French oak barriques. Partial malolactic in spring. Aged 10 months on full lees with monthly stirring. Bottled coarsely filtered, not fined.