Kumeu River, located to the northwest of Auckland, undoubtedly stands as New Zealand's preeminent chardonnay producer. The virtuoso of both the Master of Wine title and Winemaker, Michael Brajkovich, has dedicated his expertise to the art of crafting exquisite chardonnay at this estate since the 1980s. Meticulously selecting hand-picked fruits from low-yielding vines, employing whole bunch pressing and harnessing the power of wild yeasts, a harmonious blend emerges.

Through a nuanced process, a third of the fruit finds its destiny in French oak barriques, while full malolactic fermentation orchestrates the symphony, gracefully tempering the pristine acidity and bestowing a multi-dimensional texture. Unsurprisingly, Michael unabashedly draws parallels between his Chardonnays and the eminent White Burgundies, such as the esteemed Domaine Leflaive.