Yealands Estate State of Flux Chardonnay

Pale straw coloured with golden hues. This Chablis-style single-vineyard, limited-release, unoaked Chardonnay has been fermented and aged for eleven months in a concrete egg. The shape of the vessel causes the yeast to be in a constant state of flux, giving richness and complexity, without any wood flavour to mask the fruit character. Concentrated baked yellow apple, peach, dried apricots and graphite with hints of almond and spices on the bouquet. The palate is full-bodied with a complex depth of flavour. Highly layered with a persistent, creamy, spiced apricot finish.

Located in the southern Awatere Valley sub-region of Marlborough, Yealands Estate is arguably the most ambitious family-owned vineyard enterprise in New Zealand. Few could grasp the breadth of Peter Yealands’ vision when he took on the challenge of creating terraced vineyards amongst these rolling foothills in the late 90s, eventually realising Yealands Seaview Vineyard. Whilst the majority of the vineyard is planted with New Zealand’s world renowned Sauvignon Blanc vines, Peter was one of the first to plant alternative varietals like Gruner Veltliner and Viognier in Marlborough. Yealands Estate is a showcase of innovative environmental sustainability. The wines are carefully nurtured from the vine to the bottle with low impact methods, leading-edge green technologies and some very inventive thinking. Yealand’s carbon neutral winery, built in accordance with New Zealand Building Council’s Green Star Building Certification, was one of a handful in the world to achieve carboNZeroTM certification. The hallmark of Yealands Estate is an absolute commitment to sustainable wine production.