About this Wine
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay comes from one of Central Otago’s most distinctive vineyard parcels—free-draining schist soils that have shaped the vines’ character for over 30 years. The result is a Chardonnay that is taut, crystalline and precise, retaining freshness while delivering impressive depth.
Certified organic and biodynamic (BioGro & Demeter), 100% estate-grown, and produced with a strict hands-off philosophy: gravity flow, indigenous yeasts, natural malolactic, and no fining or filtration. The wine faithfully reflects the purity, complexity and minerality of its Bannockburn origins.
Tasting Notes (Producer Notes)
Colour & Condition:
Limpid, fresh, bright and clear in the glass.
Nose:
Fine notes of elderflower and chamomile add delicacy and finesse, hinting at the latent power beneath.
Palate:
A chiselled, linear style driven by a taut line of acidity. Flavours of Meyer lemon and grapefruit rind flow across a palate that is vibrant, mineral and crystalline, leading to a refreshing, precise finish.
A wine of purity, focus and unmistakable Block 2 identity.
Vineyard Notes
Block 2 was planted in 1992 on deep angular schist gravel soils on a gentle east-facing slope at The Elms vineyard, Bannockburn, Central Otago.
Felton Road farms four properties (totaling 34 ha) under full organic and biodynamic certification. Vineyard management includes meticulous hand work—shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning, and hand harvesting—to maintain optimum fruit balance and expression.
Cover crops are planted between rows to assist vine balance, soil health and biodiversity.
Vintage Notes
Spring began with wet conditions and good soil moisture. December was warm and dry, enabling successful flowering and fruit set. Dry weather continued through January–February, reducing berry size and contributing to elevated phenolics and concentration.
Temperatures remained moderate with no heat spikes, allowing slow, even ripening. March’s cool nights preserved acidity and fruit precision. Harvest occurred from 18–27 March 2024.
Winemaking
- Mendoza clone Chardonnay from Block 2
- Whole-bunch pressed
- Indigenous yeast fermentation in seasoned French oak barrels (4% new)
- Long, complete malolactic over spring and summer
- No fining
- No filtration
Ageing
Aged 17 months in French oak barrels, including 11 months on gross lees, before racking to tank and bottling in late August 2025.
