Dalwhinnie, Moonambel Chardonnay

Hailed by critics and wine lovers alike, Dalwhinnie has been growing grapes for nearly 50 years and is now a fully mature vineyard, producing ultra-premium wines that are distinctive, elegant and reflect the benefit of a dry-grown vineyard.

Dalwhinnie is located near the small village of Moonambel in the heart of the Pyrenees region of western Victoria, Australia and is a super-premium producer of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

At 595 metres above sea level, Dalwhinnie is the highest and most remote of the Pyrenees district vineyards. Surrounded and sheltered by the highest range, this unique bowl of vines is located in a naturally undulating trough which falls away from the hills, forming an amphitheatre nestled into the ranges.

After picking, the fruit is chilled overnight to around 12°C. The fruit is then airbag pressed. The juice is settled in stainless steel tanks for 24 hours. The juice is then pumped to French oak barriques - 80% of the juice is inoculated while 20% goes through a natural fermentation.

The wine is fermented slow and cool with approximately 25% of the barrels allowed to proceed through malolactic fermentation, approximately 6 weeks. In these barrels, lees stirring is carried out monthly to improve texture and complexity.