Quality wine begins with quality grapes.
To this end, Kumeu River's vines are meticulously monitored and tended to produce grapes of the highest standard.
Kumeu River Wines encompasses 30 hectares of vineyards which are predominantly clay soils overlying a standstone base. These soil types retain sufficient water at depth, even during the summer months, to ensure the deep vine roots keeps the vine supplied with moisture without the vigour ever being excessive. This means that the vineyard doesn't require irrigation, a factor that is critical to the quality of Kumeu River's grapes.
Despite being situated well north of New Zealand's other viticultural regions, Kumeu's climate is kept cool thanks to its close proximity to the Tasman Sea, just 20km to the west and the Pacific Ocean 30km to the east. These two large water bodies generate cloud and help to moderate the climate, keeping peak summer temperatures below 30oC. These temperatures contribute to the conditions that enhance the fantastic aromas and flavours from early ripening varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.
The vineyards are trained on a ‘Lyre' trellis to help optimise exposure to light and increase grape maturity and quality. One of the distinguishing factors of Kumeu River's wines is that all of the grapes are harvested by hand. Although it takes more time than machine harvesting, this allows the opportunity to remove sub-standard grapes by hand; the result is a net yield of purely high quality grapes.
With a history of well over half a century, the vineyards of Kumeu River are reflective of the hard work and commitment of three generations of the Brajkovich family and those who have worked alongside them for many decades. The wines that result truly represent the unique combination of environmental influences and the skill and dedication of the Brajkovich family of winemakers.
VINEYARD REGION: Kumeu, Auckland
VINIFICATION:
Hand harvested
Whole-bunch pressed
Indigenous yeast fermentation
100% barrel fermentation
100% malo-lactic fermentation
11 months maturation in barrel
WINEMAKER: Michael Brajkovich MW
Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and became a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend. Occupying the slope overlooking Mate's Vineyard, it has always contributed lovely ripe and rich fruit to the Estate Chardonnay. Hunting Hill was replanted in 2000 and is now even better than before, giving beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive mealy minerality.
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