Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay

A sensational and world-class Grand Reserve Chardonnay by Church Road. Fresh, zesty citrus and citrus blossom notes come to the fore this year with riper, richer stone fruit underlying and providing extra depth. The fruit is overlaid with complexities of roasted nuts, toasted brioche and a hint of smoky struck flint. This is a full-bodied Chardonnay balanced by gentle, fresh acidity and a spine of slate-like minerality.

• Winery: Church Road
  
• Varietal: Chardonnay
  
• Region: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2022
  
• Alcohol: 13.5%
  
• Volume: 750ml
  
• Closure: Screwcap
  
• Food pairing: Chicken & duck; lamb & mild sausage; tuna & salmon; mushroom risotto; light-medium red sauces; brie & goats cheese

Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay is a blend from Church Road's best vineyards in the Tuki Tuki river valley, grown and crafted to deliver a full-bodied yet refined wine. This cooler wine growing district delivers beautifully fragrant Chardonnay with weight, minerality and fresh natural acidity. This vintage is made with Church Road's very best parcels of Chardonnay produced under outstanding conditions at their Tuki Tuki and Terraces Vineyards. The two vineyards make for very complementary blending partners, both enjoying cooling afternoon sea breezes which help to retain fragrance and fresh acidity. These conditions are ideal for Chardonnay, the sole variety grown on the opposing banks of the Tuki Tuki river.

Church Road in Taradale has a rich and storied past, its foundations laid in 1897 by the visionary ex-Marist Brother, Bartholomew Steinmetz. When he returned to his native Luxembourg in the 1920s, he entrusted the fledgling winery to the hands of a young yet ambitious 19-year-old—Tom McDonald. Today, his name is legendary. Initially leasing the winery before securing ownership in 1936, Tom was a pioneer, driven by an unwavering passion for excellence. In 1949, he crafted New Zealand’s very first commercial Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that became an icon of the 1960s and set an enduring benchmark for premium red wines in the country. A true visionary ahead of his time, Tom’s dedication to winemaking remains deeply woven into the fabric of this historic estate.

Under new stewardship, a major renovation in 1989 was undertaken with a singular mission—to restore Church Road’s place as a producer of boutique-style, quality-driven wines. Today, the winery thrives under the expert guidance of Chris Scott, who has been part of its journey since 1998. The winemaking team, drawing from some of Hawke’s Bay’s finest vineyard sites, continues to create wines of remarkable character, delivering both excellence and value at every level. A tradition of passion and innovation lives on, ensuring that every bottle tells a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and a deep love for the art of winemaking. 

• 96/100 Points & Top Rank Award - Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2022 vintage)
• Gold - 2024 International Wine Challenge (2022 vintage)
• Gold - Dish Magazine (2022 vintage)
• 94/100 Points - Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy (2022 vintage)
• Gold & 96/100 Points - New Zealand International Wine Competition (2021 vintage)