Heathvale - Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Heathvale Chardonnay wine label

Lifted aromas of melons and stone fruits prepare the palate for a wine with a lovely rolling mouthfeel, with good acidity, length and volume. The French oak is supportive and not obtrusive, and the extended lees contact give a richness and subtle complexity to the wine. Best enjoyed 2-4 years, perfect with fish and seafood or perhaps an afternoon platter of fruit and cheese.

For Vintage Notes contact trevor.march@heathvalewines.com.au

Viticulture

First planting 1987 - 3 acres, newer planting 1995 - 2 acres
VSP with foilage wires in the older plantings
Newer vines trained to arch cane pruned trellis system
Some shading encouraged but canopy controlled by lift wires
Soils are sandy loam over weathered rock which are free draining
Pruning to two rods and replacement spurs for young Chardonnay, finger and thumb for older vines
Bud levels approximately 30 per vine
Rows are 3m by 1.5m spacing, giving density of 2222 vines per hectare
Yield aim is 1 and a half - 2 tonnes/acre
Mid-row management is permanent sod based around grass dominant swards
Bird protection provided by single row, over-vine nets

Vinification

The Chardonnay is hand-picked into small bins, transported to the winery and whole-bunch pressed at low temperature
Free run and pressings kept separate initially, then pressings are lightly fined and added back
Juice is settled for 2-3 days, then racked off settlings with 4% solids kept, warmed to 16-18 degrees Celsius and inoculated
A cool fermentation is initiated in stainless steel at 14-15 degrees Celsius, and finished off in 25% new, 75% 2nd and 3rd fill French Oak Hogsheads
The wine is lightly sulphured to inhibit any malo-lactic fermentation
Battonage is practised every two weeks for the first 2-3 months to enhance complexity and give greater depth of flavour and mouthfeel
Wine is matured in barrel for 11-12 months, then racked and clarified prior to bottling
The wine is made to capture the true character of the vineyard with minimal interference