Kumeu River

“now producing some of New Zealand’s greatest Chardonnays, not to mention the world’s.” 

- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

Kumeu River has long been the spearhead for New Zealand Chardonnay. Back in 1937, The Brajkovich family emigrated to New Zealand from their home country of Croatia. Back at home, they would both grow and produce wine for personal consumption. In 1944 the family purchased a small property with vineyards and started making wine. They started producing single-variety wines of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, their reputation started to take off in the 80’s for their quality.

Michael Brajkovich then had the vision to produce a Burgundy-influenced style of Chardonnay that featured indigenous yeasts, extended lees ageing, and malo-lactic fermentation. Fast forward to today and Kumeu River has won every accolade under the sun with the critics going crazy for the wines. “Amongst the very best Chardonnay producers in the world” standing “shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the grandest labels from Burgundy” are words uttered by Neal Martin (Vinous).

Kumeu Rivers prices are and have always been incredibly fair. You can essentially drink what is equivalent to Burgundy 1er or Grand Cru quality for around €30 per bottle. Their entry-level Village Chardonnay is one of our favourites for the value picks and we're known to drink it by the buckets upon release. The single-vineyard expressions of Mate's, Hunting Hill, Coddington and Rays Vineyards are all fantastic and we can't recommend them enough.