Interesting flint, pear and nectarine aromas on the nose. The wine builds on the palate with lemon, nougat and a fresh minerality. The acid is bright, balanced and carries the wine through an attractively textured mid-palate. The finish persists…
The place. Grown inland, about 20 miles from the sea, nestled at the bottom of uplifted limestone hills. Some 45,000 years ago this valley was a salt lake, formed as Aotearoa was lifted out of the ocean. The sea water is long gone, but it left shallow river silts over greywacke stone and deep, slightly saline sub-soils. Combined with a classically cool climate and low rainfall, they give us grapes with moderate sugars, bright acidity and beautifully complex wines.
The making. Minimal intervention, maximum intention. 2025 was a warm growing season with plenty of work in the vineyard to keep the canopy in check and the fruit healthy. We harvest in the cool of the morning — a little after the dawn chorus, while there's still dew on the ground. At the winery, natural ferments and a long period on yeast lees create complexity and balance. We're committed to a more mineral, pure style of Chardonnay — no oak barrels, just time on lees and a little stirring for texture and interest. A single-pass filtration on the way to bottle locks all the goodness in.
Certified organic fruit · Alc 14.0% · pH 3.4 · TA 5.99 g/L
Find Dawn Chorus wines at a retailer near you — live stock, prices, delivery and pickup options across the States.
Our New Zealand online shop opens soon. In the USA? Scroll down to find a bottle at a store near you.
Our New Zealand online shop opens soon. In the USA? Scroll down to find a bottle at a store near you.
Interesting flint, pear and nectarine aromas on the nose. The wine builds on the palate with lemon, nougat and a fresh minerality. The acid is bright, balanced and carries the wine through an attractively textured mid-palate. The finish persists…
The place. Grown inland, about 20 miles from the sea, nestled at the bottom of uplifted limestone hills. Some 45,000 years ago this valley was a salt lake, formed as Aotearoa was lifted out of the ocean. The sea water is long gone, but it left shallow river silts over greywacke stone and deep, slightly saline sub-soils. Combined with a classically cool climate and low rainfall, they give us grapes with moderate sugars, bright acidity and beautifully complex wines.
The making. Minimal intervention, maximum intention. 2025 was a warm growing season with plenty of work in the vineyard to keep the canopy in check and the fruit healthy. We harvest in the cool of the morning — a little after the dawn chorus, while there's still dew on the ground. At the winery, natural ferments and a long period on yeast lees create complexity and balance. We're committed to a more mineral, pure style of Chardonnay — no oak barrels, just time on lees and a little stirring for texture and interest. A single-pass filtration on the way to bottle locks all the goodness in.
Certified organic fruit · Alc 14.0% · pH 3.4 · TA 5.99 g/L
Find Dawn Chorus wines at a retailer near you — live stock, prices, delivery and pickup options across the States.
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