Matawhero Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2022

Established in 1968 by Bill Irwin, Matawhero gained prominence for introducing innovative viticultural practices and unconventional grape varieties to New Zealand. His son, Denis Irwin, continued this legacy, imparting his own colourful style and winning fame for his Gewurztraminer and Chardonnays. He passed on the baton to Richard and Kirsten Searle, who acquired the winery in 2008, They are the trusted Kaitiaki (guardians) of Matawhero and continue to develop the iconic winery and share the distinctive wine styles of the Tairawhiti-Gisborne region.

They continue to produce an ‘Irwin Chardonnay’ honouring the founders, with a limited release, barrel fermented Chardonnay,. They also produce ‘Single Vineyard’ series which showcases the unique characteristics of specific vineyard blocks, and a ‘Church House’ series, which pays homage to the original winery established in a former church.

The grapes were from the Mendoza clone, and sourced from the Tietjen Vineyard in the 'Golden Slope' region of Gisborne. The grapes were machine harvested at night, and then crushed and gently pressed. The juice was then cold-settled for 36 hours to clarify before fermentation. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts was spontaneous, and then controlled at cool temperatures to preserve the fresh fruit characteristics. After primary fermentation, the wine was inoculated for malolactic fermentation then aged on its lees. It was filtered prior to bottling.