Kumeu River Mates Vineyard Chardonnay

They’re one of NZ’s most iconic wine producers on the world stage. The family are pioneers in the NZ wine industry. They produce some of the very best Chardonnay you’ll find anywhere in Aotearoa. They’re the Brajkovich family and you’ll find them in the north Auckland suburb of Kumeu. Next to a river.

Slap the words ‘White Burgundy’ on the label and you’d be paid double and then some. Kumeu River Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay is KR’s flagship Chardonnay and quite simply one of the best you’ll find in NZ!

That’s why in every vintage since 2008 this wine has received a 95 point score or higher with The Real Review. Named after Maté Brajkovich who in 1990 planted a new vineyard of Chardonnay vines on the original vineyard site he and his family bought back in 1944. The first release was in 1994, a year after Maté’s death, and marked 50 years since the Brajkovichs started up in Kumeu.

Not to buck the trend this latest 2022 release has a 95/100 score and Top Rank Award with Master of Wine Bob Campbell in The Real Review. Bob said “Rich, slightly buttery chardonnay with nutty oak and yeast lees flavours together with a saline influence. Intense, appealing wine that is mellow and at the same time has a vibrant undercurrent. It would probably benefit from two to three years bottle age.”

Extremely limited in supply and will cellar for 7-8 years from vintage.