2025 Kumeu River Village Chardonnay

For lovers of premium Chardonnay wines but not their price tag, this Kiwi Chardonnay is an exceptional alternative at a fraction of the cost.

Price:
Sale price$24.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Kumeu River are producing some of the most exquisite Chardonnays this side of Burgundy, in the words of Tim Atkin MW “If Michael Brajkovich MW were a Burgundian rather than a New Zealander, he would be among the most celebrated white winemakers in the Côte de Beaune.”

Pretty high praise, and quite apt when you’re looking at this wine from them. The value for money is through the roof. Creamy, with a slight flinty-mineral note, on the palate there is a subtle fruit character up front moving to a delicate tight and crisp mid-back palate. Fully of bright acidity and a lengthy clean finish.

As an entry point into the Chardonnay range of Kumeu River, this wine is insane; pure, precise and oh so delicious!

This is a wine where we always have a bottle in the fridge. The perfect aperitif Chardonnay, it's a wine that pairs very well with all types of seafood. Produced from grapes grown in Kumeu 42% and Hawkes Bay 58% this wine was fermented 38% in old French oak barrels, and 62% in stainless steel tanks. The barrel fermentation provides some richness but very little oak influence. Combined with the tank fermentation this allows the vibrant fruit to show through beautifully with lively lime and lemon aromas and a flinty, mineral palate with hints of fig and white peach.

The 2025 Vintage gave us outstanding quality, both in Kumeu and Hawkes Bay, with beautiful fruit aroma, flavour and concentration. Our own Rays Road vineyard in Hawkes Bay made up 32% of the final blend, which gives the wine a distinctive limestone edginess. The moderate alcohol level of 13.3% gives freshness with a lovely flinty texture. The citrus elements of Chardonnay shine through with a refreshingly crisp acid finish. This wine is delightful as an aperitif, and even better to drink with seafood.

Price Bracket $30 or Less
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country New Zealand
Region Kumeu
Size 750ml
Vintage 2025
Closure Screw Cap

Kumeu River

Like so many new world wineries, Kumeu River, is an immigrant success story, hard work, and growth from generation to generation.

The Brajkovich family’s story has grown in parallel to the growth of the New Zealand wine industry in general, established the Kumeu region north of Auckland.

3rd generation winemaker Michael Brajkovich ( New Zealand’s first MW) spent a vintage in Burgundy in the early 1980’ that changed the wineries trajectory and led them to place a singular focus on producing world class Chardonnay.

This change saw them rename the winery Kumeu River (from San Marino Vineyards) and evolve to a more Burgundian style of winemaking. Since these changes, the wines of Kumeu river have been recognised as belonging to the pantheon of Chardonnay on a global scale.

The Vineyards of Kumeu River Kumeu River

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Common Questions

Delivery is free on orders of $150 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.

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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.

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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.

 

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No, all prices are set at the full discounted dozen rate already.

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