UNKEL LUTA VALE CHENIN BLANC 2022

Rob and Kate Burley have since 2019 been organically farming a picturesque 5.5 Hectare vineyard in Nelson, planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris & Riesling. As the ‘Unkel’, they always allow the wine to do the talking, leading its own life through fermentation and ageing in the winery providing what they believe is the most honest expression of the fruit that they started with.

Luta wines are a recent addition to their Unkel Wines range & are wines made from a selection of barrels that they believe tell the story of the unique Moutere clays & the organic vineyards in which these vines are farmed. These are aged for longer at every step, from barrel to tank and again in the bottle, prior to release.

‘Luta’ – derived from Lutum, the Latin word for clay – pays reference to the Moutere clays where the grapes are grown.

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"The fruit for this wine was whole-bunch pressed and settled overnight before being racked to and fermented in old Puncheons. Aged for 10 months, then racked to stainless steel where it was aged for a further 6 months before being bottled in January 2023.

Tangy apple, pear and pineapple fruits with a floral and slight herbal lift that follows onto the pallet with a delicate honey suckle component. Textural and mouth filling with a light, creamy finish."

91/100 David Walker Bell, WineFolio.co.nz, September 2025 (2022 Vintage)
"Grown on clay soils in the Upper Moutere in Tasman. A translucent, steely, lemon-green colour in the glass. The bouquet is quite floral, with honeysuckle and lemon blossom, over citrus, pear, nettle, dried pineapple, fennel, chamomile and apple danish notes. Very dry on the palate, with  whizz of zesty acidity that sweeps the flavour along. Bright, energetic and crisp. The lightness of touch is balanced at the back of the palate with a creamy textural quality that is still quite fresh, but pads out the finish nicely."