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Buy OnlineThe Brajkovich family have carved out a reputation second to none for Chardonnay and every new release adds to that reputation.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
"If you can taste history, duty, and family pride in a glass, it’s there in the Kumeu River Chardonnays… now producing some of New Zealand’s greatest Chardonnays, not to mention the world’s."
Winery notes (2024 Vintage)
"In 1990, Maté Brajkovich reworked the land and planted a new vineyard of Chardonnay vines on the site of the original vineyard that he and his family purchased in March 1944. The first grapes from this vineyard were harvested in March 1993, the year following Maté's death. The resulting wine was released in November 1994 to coincide with celebrations marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Brajkovich Family's arrival at Kumeu River. "
Michael Brajkovich MW, Winemaker notes (2024 Vintage)
"The 2024 vintage for Mate’s Vineyard continues the exceptional level of quality from this 35-year-old vineyard. Mate’s Vineyard was the last vineyard we harvested in the 2024 vintage in perfect weather with the low yielding fruit in pristine condition. The resulting wine shows the density, concertation and length that we expect from a terrific Mate’s Vineyard vintage and this year we see an extra crisp lemon acidity. Although still somewhat shy on the nose, with bottle age the full palette of complex aromas and bouquet of this wonderful wine will be gradually and seductively revealed."
95-97/100 Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com, June 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"The 2024 Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay is mouthfilling and full, easily the biggest and most powerful of the single-vineyard Chardonnays in this 2024 release. "In terms of quality, 2024 is up there with the best of them: 2022, 2020, 2014…" This feels perhaps as statuesque and thrilling as the best of the Maté's so far, with intensity that explodes in every direction on the palate—length and width—with spicy top notes and a thunderous base of yellow fruit. The acidity, as usual, coils and weaves its way across the palate, lacing together the fruit and phenolics with seamless intensity. This is very good."
David Walker Bell, WineFolio.co.nz, July 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"I have been known to describe Matés Vineyard Chardonnay as ‘beautiful chaos’ on release. Winemaker Michael describes it as “having more stuff in it”. A youthful concentration defines the bouquet – at the same time smoky and plush, spicy and clean – with lemon curd, white peach, pear, hazelnut, oatmeal, vanilla and incense. The tannin I mentioned earlier gives a zesty, mealy character and texture. The finish has splendid length and harmony – already quite seamless. Less brooding than some releases, I could, again, see myself trying this earlier than my usual 6-8 years down the track."
