Description
When Kumeu River took over Ray’s Road in Hawke’s Bay in 2017, the team knew the limestone hillside had serious potential. Year by year, the wines have proven them right - and in 2024, with yields down to half the norm, that promise is hitting another level.
Perched at 180 metres with a northerly aspect and dry-farmed vines, Ray’s Road turns out Chardonnays that are more "Chablis-esque" (to use a clumsy term) than Kumeu: zesty, flinty, and mineral-driven. But this vintage brings something extra - a little more weight and peachy generosity without losing that spine of limestone freshness. The palate has a newfound density and length, hinting that this is a wine worth tucking away for a few years, even if it’s already dangerously drinkable.
Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed, and wild fermented in seasoned French oak, it’s an understated, finely etched expression from one of New Zealand’s most exciting emerging Chardonnay sites and perhaps its most complete Ray’s Road yet.
92-94 points
"The 2024 Rays Road Chardonnay leads with a spicy, almost exotic nose, while the palate strides in smooth, sleek movements. This is creamy and a little nutty, and there are wet limestone notes in the mouth, alongside yellow citrus and layers of dried herbs, cracked fennel seeds, ginger root and fruit flavors. A lovely wine, it's weighted on the back palate and long through the finish. I tasted this as a tank sample prior to filtration and bottling. The Ray's Road vineyard is on a limestone base and has been significantly worked and replanted since the Kumeu River purchase in 2021."
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)
Customer Reviews
| Price Bracket | $51 to $100 |
| Type | White |
| Body | Full Bodied |
| Variety | Chardonnay |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Kumeu |
| Reviewed By |
The Wine Advocate |
| Critic Score |
94 |
| Alcohol | 12.5% |
| Size | 750ml |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
Kumeu River
Others also liked
Recently viewed
Common Questions
Delivery is free on orders of $199 or more.
For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.
We will dispatch your order the same or next business day.
Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.
No sorry we do not have a store front and pickup is not available.
Yes, no problem. When placing your order select ‘Store at Different Drop and Delivery Later’ as your shipping method or reply to the order confirmation email after placing your order with additional instructions.
We stock three different sized gift boxes (single, three bottle and six), all are available for purchase for a flat rate of $8. They look great and make an awesome impression.
To add a gift box to your order, simply add at checkout. The special requests box is your friend, please give us as many details of what you are looking for and we will try our best, or get in contact to discuss it with you.
If you want to bulk order gifts or if you have any trouble please email hello@differentdrop.com or call and we can try and help.
Our warehouse is automated so unless you tell us otherwise, we will ship your order. If you would like us to hold your order please reply to the order confirmation email after placing your order and we are happy to store your order for up to 6 months at no charge. You can review our heat policy here.
Yes, of course. We want Different Drop customers to always be getting the best price. You can see our price match policy here.
No, feel free to mix it up! There is no minimum requirement. You can order wines in any quantity or combination, 1 or 50+ bottles.
No, all prices are set at the full discounted dozen rate already.
Most wine retailers list at a single-bottle price and then discount 10–15% when you buy six or twelve. We've taken the opposite approach. Since the overwhelming majority of our orders are already 6 bottles or more, our list price is set for the case buyer from the start. There's no inflated single-bottle price to discount down from.
What that means for you:
- One price, same for everyone — no minimum to hit to unlock the best rate
- No mixed-six gymnastics to qualify for a discount
- Our single-bottle price is typically at or below a traditional retailer's by-the-dozen rate
Put simply: the box discount is already baked into the price.
**And if you find it cheaper elsewhere?** Let us know. If the same wine is available at a lower price at another retailer (including at their mixed-six or by-the-dozen rate) we're happy to match it.
If you can't add more wine to your cart it means we are low on stock of that wine. For example, if you are only able to 3 bottles and no more that means we only have 3 bottles left of that wine. If it's a must have, please contact us and we may be able to order more in for you.
Need a hand?
We’d love to help you out! Email is usually best but if it’s something urgent or you just really want to have a yarn about wine, food, or even the meaning of life, give us a call — we’re here for you.