{"title":"Central Otago Chardonnay","description":"\u003cp\u003eChardonnay plays a smaller role in Central Otago than Pinot Noir, but the handful of producers working with it are turning out compelling wines, benefiting from the same cool nights and long, dry autumns that define the region's reds. Styles here tend toward the leaner, more mineral end of the spectrum, with restrained oak use letting the fruit and acidity do most of the talking rather than leaning on richness or butteriness. It's a useful bottle to seek out if you're already familiar with the region through its \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/central-otago-pinot-noir\"\u003eCentral Otago Pinot Noir\u003c\/a\u003e and want to see how the cool climate translates to white wine. For Chardonnay more broadly, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/chardonnay\"\u003eChardonnay\u003c\/a\u003e covers examples from every region we carry, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/central-otago-wine\"\u003eCentral Otago Wine\u003c\/a\u003e covers everything else on offer.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"rua-central-otago-chardonnay","title":"Rua Central Otago Chardonnay 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRua Central Otago Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e is an elegant, gently creamy Chardonnay from Mora's Eden vineyard in the Pisa subregion. Lemon curd, ripe nectarine and yellow stonefruit flow across a silky palate, lifted by bright citrus and finished with toasted almond and a quiet savoury note. Hand-picked fruit, barrel fermentation and nine months in neutral oak build texture without overwhelming its freshness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2025 vintage opens with lemon curd and ripe nectarine, supported by a subtle patisserie-like warmth. The palate is supple and layered, with generous yellow stonefruit, refined texture and a fresh citrus line bringing energy and lift. Toasted almond lingers through the finish, adding depth and gentle savoury complexity. The fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, then barrel fermented with occasional stirring. Full malolactic fermentation softened the natural acidity before the wine completed nine months of maturation in neutral oak.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hancocks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182009770351,"sku":"100075","price":149.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/RuaCentralOtagoChardonnay.jpg?v=1785109177"},{"product_id":"doctors-flat-central-otago-chardonnay","title":"Doctors Flat Central Otago Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoctors Flat Central Otago Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e is a finely structured, mineral-driven Chardonnay from a single organic vineyard in Bannockburn. Preserved lemon, nectarine and ripe stone fruit meet hints of pineapple, warm brioche and grilled nuts, while fresh acidity and a savoury mineral line keep the palate focused. This inaugural commercial release comes from Chardonnay vines planted by Steve Davies in 2020, bringing the same restrained, site-led approach behind Doctors Flat Pinot Noir to a new variety. Generous fruit and subtle richness are balanced by impressive structure and length, making it a strong match for roast chicken, grilled fish or buttery shellfish dishes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDoctors Flat is a single vineyard in Bannockburn, planted over glacial gravels containing schist, clay and fine silt deposited from the Cairnmuir Mountains. The vineyard is organically farmed to support the relationship between the vines and soil biology. Chardonnay was added to the property in 2020, with 0.6 hectares planted to clones 548 and Mendoza, and 2024 marks the first commercial release. The grapes were whole-bunch pressed and fermented in barrel with indigenous yeast. Malolactic fermentation was delayed until spring, with sulphur added in late summer, before the wine was racked with light lees to tank and bottled after a second winter. It contains 13.8% alcohol.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Henderson, Otago Daily Times, Outstanding (2024 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e“Nectarine and stone fruits lead the palate, hints of pineapple, again that minerality, delicious juiciness that gives openness, yet structure promising more.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wag\u0026Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182017012079,"sku":"100291","price":257.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/DoctorsFlatCentralOtagoChardonnay.jpg?v=1784852908"},{"product_id":"domaine-rewa-central-otago-chardonnay","title":"Domaine Rewa Central Otago Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDomaine Rewa Central Otago Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e is a rich yet finely poised single-vineyard Chardonnay from the Pisa Flats. Ripe pear, stone fruit and pineapple are layered with elderflower, toasted oak and flinty mineral notes, while bright acidity keeps the medium-bodied palate vibrant and focused. Hand-harvested organic fruit and careful French oak maturation give it depth, texture and a fine structure without overwhelming its generous fruit. The finish is long, savoury and carried by lingering stone fruit. A polished Central Otago Chardonnay with both immediate appeal and room to develop, it is particularly well suited to roast chicken, pork belly or firm white fish with a buttery sauce.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chardonnay comes from Domaine Rewa's organic single vineyard on the Pisa Flats in Central Otago, where vines grow in low-fertility glacial gravels, sands and silts. The fruit was hand-harvested on 26 March 2024 and matured in French oak, including 37% new oak. The winery describes sweet toasted oak, stone fruit, ripe pear and elderflower on the nose, followed by rich pear, pineapple, spicy oak and flinty minerality. Bright acidity brings vibrancy and poise to the medium-bodied palate, leading into a lingering stone-fruit finish. The wine contains 14.5% alcohol, with 2,874 bottles produced.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCandice Chow, 95\/100 \u0026amp; 5 Stars (2024 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e“The creamy mouthfeel is well-balanced with fresh acidity and bright fruit. Toasty details add complexity and lead to a long, harmonious finish.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wag\u0026Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182017077615,"sku":"100293","price":299.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/DomaineRewaCentralOtagoChardonnay.jpg?v=1784852599"},{"product_id":"scout-chardonnay","title":"Scout Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScout Central Otago Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e is a finely structured, textural Chardonnay sourced from two elevated vineyards in Bendigo and Lowburn. White nectarine, grapefruit and stone fruit are layered with almond, subtle oak spice and a cool mineral edge, creating a wine that balances richness with precision. Wild fermentation, partial malolactic fermentation and time on lees build creaminess and depth, while vibrant citrus keeps the finish taut and focused. It is a thoughtful, composed expression of Central Otago Chardonnay, well suited to roast chicken, grilled fish, creamy seafood dishes or simply enjoying slowly over an evening.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fruit came from two elevated Central Otago sites. The Bendigo vineyard sits at 350 metres on weathered schist soils, while the Packspur Vineyard in Lowburn is planted at 400 metres in sandy loams interspersed with quartz gravels. The grapes were hand picked and whole bunch pressed directly to French barriques, including 15% new oak, for wild fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was completed on 85% of the wine, and it was bottled in July 2025. White nectarine and grapefruit aromas are layered with almond milk, followed by citrus, stone fruit, almond and nougat. Lees contact brings richness, subtle oak spice and a taut mineral finish.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blanc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182020059503,"sku":"100380","price":227.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ScoutChardonnay.jpg?v=1785209439"},{"product_id":"mount-edward-chardonnay","title":"Mount Edward Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMount Edward Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e is a dry, textural Central Otago Chardonnay with delicate fruit, savoury complexity and a cool mineral edge. Organically grown at Mount Edward’s Morrison Vineyard in Pisa, it combines white peach and citrus with subtle nuttiness, vanilla and restrained oak. The palate is smooth and gently creamy, but fine acidity and a pithy texture keep the wine focused rather than heavy. It is a composed, understated style for drinkers who enjoy Chardonnay with freshness and quiet complexity. Pair it with roast chicken, grilled fish, creamy seafood dishes or mushroom risotto.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Chardonnay was grown at Mount Edward’s certified organic Morrison Vineyard in Pisa, where fine loam and silt-clay soils sit over alluvial gravels. The grapes were pressed directly to older French oak barrels and fermented using indigenous vineyard yeasts, with no new oak used. The wine then matured in the same barrels for 12 months. It shows delicate fruit alongside savoury complexity, nuttiness and vanilla, with a soft, richly textured palate balanced by pithy minerality and fine Central Otago acidity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mineral","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182024450415,"sku":"100509","price":239.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/MountEdwardChardonnay.jpg?v=1785280238"},{"product_id":"pyramid-valley-manatu-chardonnay","title":"Pyramid Valley Manatu Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePyramid Valley Mānatu Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e is a taut, finely detailed Central Otago Chardonnay that balances creamy depth with an electric line of acidity. White nectarine, Meyer lemon and grilled hazelnut sit alongside delicate florals, savoury lees and a salty mineral finish. Named for the native ribbonwood tree, Mānatu comes from Pyramid Valley’s organically certified Lowburn vineyard, where dense plantings and gravelly soils produce Chardonnay with real concentration and restraint. Rich and layered without losing its edge, this is a wine that rewards attention - and is in no particular hurry to show everything at once.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit comes from the Swann Road blocks of Pyramid Valley’s Mānatu vineyard in Lowburn, planted on loess over deep silts and gravels and farmed organically with a regenerative approach. The grapes are hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed before wild fermentation in French oak, followed by extended maturation on lees and bottling without fining or filtration. Expect lemon blossom, mascarpone and grilled citrus leading into white nectarine, Meyer lemon and hazelnut, with rich texture drawn through a long, salty and energetic finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCandice Chow, Candice Wine Chat, 96\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“This Chardonnay is packed with good energy and presence, ripples with saline and zingy acidity.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCameron Douglas MS, 95\/100 \u0026amp; Outstanding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Taut and youthful with a positive reduction highlight - so plenty of time to cellar.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Wong MW, The Real Review, 94\/100 \u0026amp; Top Value\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Intense, coiled acidity whips across the palate with streaks of apple and cashew.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Negociants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53214576574831,"sku":"100940","price":287.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/PyramidValleyManatuChardonnay.jpg?v=1784606242"}],"url":"https:\/\/stolencellar.co.nz\/collections\/central-otago-chardonnay.oembed","provider":"Stolen Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}