The Marlborist Chardonnay 2022

The Marlborist is a contemporary winery based in Marlborough, dedicated to producing expressive and elegant wines that reflect the region's unique characteristics. It was co-founded by good friends Richard Ellis, Stuart Dudley and David Nash, a team of next-generation winemakers with extensive experience working alongside Marlborough's pioneering winegrowers.

The same team are also co-founders of sister company Alpine Rift, which makes an elegant Sauvignon Blanc in an interpretation of the classic Marlborough style.
Drawing on their intimate knowledge of the region, they source fruit from some of Marlborough’s most revered vineyards and create a range that shines a ‘modern light on classic varieties’.

Grapes were hand-harvested between March 15th and 22nd, 2021, from three exceptional vineyards, with differing terroirs. They were whole-bunch pressed with high solids. The juice was transferred to French oak barrels and puncheons (15% new) for fermentation, which was initiated by indigenous 'wild' yeasts at ambient temperatures, a process that extended over several months. Full malolactic fermentation occurred. The wine matured on lees in oak for 11 months, with occasional lees stirring. The wine was then transferred to stainless steel tanks for an additional 5 months of maturation, before being bottled in July 2022 without fining or filtration.