Keltern Chardonnay

With an outstanding track record of awards and accolades, the Keltern Vineyard has truly established itself as one of New Zealand’s premier sites for Chardonnay. Displaying a brilliant straw and lime-tinted hue in the glass, the nose offers a fragrant and complex medley of white nectarine and subtle complexing sulphides, complemented by underlying notes of flint and toast. A sleek, tightly woven palate gradually unfolds, leading to a finish with genuine length and class. This wine will develop further complexity, mineral and toast like characters with careful cellaring.

Download full tasting notes for details on individual vintages: 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Located east of the Maraekakaho region in Hawkes Bay, directly in the path of cool air currents flowing from a mountain range to the west, the Keltern Vineyard is an inland site, buffered by the Ngaruroro River. Established on an ancient riverbed planted in 1999, the vineyard has silt loams layered over red metals, including large free-draining gravel stones.

Vines range in age up to 16 years, mainly cl15, cl95 and cl548, and at maturity are pruned and thinned to one bunch per shoot to target 6-7T/Ha.

With spring frost and hailstorm events Hawkes Bay was off to a nervous start. Once spring was navigated the weather settled and a sensational season ensued. Seasonal data indicated a growing season slightly cooler than the previous four at 1362 GDD’s but still above the long-term average of 1303 GDD’S, and dry to the point of drought. The Chardonnay harvest was off to a record early start with Keltern vineyard harvested by the 2nd March, our earliest harvest date yet. Hand-harvesting of pristine fruit enabled a minimal intervention winemaking approach, allowing Keltern’s unique characteristics to shine.