Region : Kumeu River, New Zealand

Immigrant family making world-renowned Chardonnay. Chief winemaker is actually a Master of Wine – Michael Brajkovich. Another family-run winery where the entire family is involved in every aspect. Both Kumeu River Chardonnays have been rated not less than 90pts by Wine Spectator year in year out. Michael is now establishing a reputation as a red winemaker with elegant European styling.

Notable achievements :
Kumeu River Chardonnay and the Mates Chardonnay have been rated 90pts and above by Wine Spectator every year since 1991.

The Grape Expectations Scoop :
Award-winning Burgundy-style Chardonnay at half the price of a real Burgundy. The Kumeu Chardonnays fooled notable wine critics in a blind tasting into thinking that they were actually drinking a First Growth Burgundian.

Kumeu River Mates Chardonnary 2000
Cellar this one. But if you can’t wait, it has damn good structure, bursting with pears with a very very long finish.
Clearly New Zealand's best Chardonnay with a string of outstanding vintages to its name Stephen Bennett MW, New Zealand

Kumeu River Chardonnay 2004
The perfect condition of the grapes and the lovely ripe nature of the vintage meant that this wine saw a little more new oak than usual (25%).

The beautiful peach and hazelnut aromas along with the silky textural richness are distinct characteristics of this wine even at this young stage.

This is undoubtedly one of the best vintages we have seen of this wine and is a sheer delight to taste and drink.

“Few Chardonnays in the world so consistently hit the mark for quality and style as New Zealand’s luxurious standard bearer”

“New Zealand’s best Chardonnay year in and year out…”

“Kumeu Makes the best, most long lived Chardonnays in New Zealand" Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator USA

Kumeu River Village Pinot Noir 2003
This wine has a "pretty" Pinot aroma of ripe berries together with the maturation complexity gained from careful ageing in small oak barrels.

On the palate the wine is delicate but the texture is smooth and velvety, with length of flavour and a lovely crisp finish.

Kumeu River Melba 2000
A blend of the best parcels of Merlot and Malbec. Named after the matriarch of the family. Rich, yummy, powerful.

5 stars Michael Cooper, New Zealand

Kumeu River Village Merlot 2002
The nose has lovely plum fruit notes, together with the earthy, animal-fur, leather, game, tobacco and coffee aromas that are typical of ripe Merlot.

On the palate we have richness, warmth and weight, with a full tannic finish. It is an idealaccompaniment for full-flavoured meat dishes or pasta.