OPAWA CHARDONNAY 2025

On the Opawa farm just off the "golden mile" site the classic Rapaura gravels absorb the sun's warmth during the day, radiating back onto the grapes by moonlight thus creating the intense aromatic flavours for which Marlborough is so highly reputed.

Winery notes (2025 Vintage)
"Bright straw in colour, this Chardonnay displays lifted citrus and stone fruit aromas, complemented by subtle complexity from partial barrel fermentation. The palate continues this theme, showcasing a core of pure fruit flavours with carefully integrated winemaking influences that add depth and interest. The finish is fresh, vibrant, and moreish. A classic cool-climate Chardonnay, it combines old-vine pedigree with subtle winemaking influence to create an elegant and expressive wine.

The fruit was sourced from two vineyards planted on classic Rapaura silt loam soils in the heart of the Wairau Plains. Old-vine Clone 95 (planted in 2000) contributes structure and depth, while the Burgundian Clone 548 (planted in 2012) brings freshness and aromatic lift, resulting in a beautifully balanced combination. Natural fermentation and selected non-traditional yeast strains add further layers of complexity, while fermentation in a combination of large and small-format seasoned oak barrels enhances texture and mouthfeel without dominating the fruit. The individual components were matured on lees before blending and bottling, contributing additional richness and integration to the finished wine."