Chardonnay “Verve” 2021 – Ocean Eight

The fruit to produce Chardonnay “Verve” Ocean Eight was picked to highlight the citrus spectrum, in particular grapefruit, hence the name ‘Verve’ which accurately describes the racy character of this wine. Whole bunches were chilled overnight prior to vinification in the gravity-fed winery. The Chardonnay “Verve” Ocean Eight grapes were whole bunched pressed and transferred by gravity to old French barriques at temperatures of 25 to 32°C. Spontaneous fermentation took place with indigenous vineyard yeasts. The wine spent 12 months in oak with full lees contact, imparting texture and complexity. The wine was gently fined and filtered prior to bottling.

The grapes come from a 2.5 hectare block of Chardonnay in an established vineyard of 20 year old vines. The clones are a mix of P58, I10, 95 and 96. Situated at an elevation of 65 metres with a north western orientation, the vineyard has a great airflow, which minimises disease pressure as the canopy dries quickly. The soil is sandy loam which provides excellent drainage, essential nutrients for vine health and imparts a minerality to the flavour profile.