The Chardonnay wines of Kumeu River have gained a strong foothold within the international market, receiving outstanding accolades. The vineyard has gone on to become the globally recognised benchmark for non-Burgundy produced Chardonnay.

This limestone hillside is at 180m altitude, with a northerly aspect. It is dry-farmed to yield high quality grapes for wine under the Rays Road name for their Kumeu River label. This Chardonnay was hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in older French Oak barrels to give a wine that is zesty and fragrant, with mineral complexity that is very true to its site.

The 2020 vintage was exceptional and has produced sensational Chardonnay across the board. The limestone-based vineyard at Rays Road in Hawkes Bay has yielded some uniquely characterful Chardonnay from this vintage. It has the aroma of citrus peel, flinty minerals and salty seashells. There are creamy, peach-like flavours on the mid-palate, but then it finishes firmly with zesty fresh acidity and a steel backbone