Te Mata Elston Chardonnay

Te Mata Elston Chardonnay embodies Hawke’s Bay excellence — a benchmark for refined power and balance. Estate-grown and barrel-fermented, it showcases the precision and heritage of New Zealand’s oldest winery, marrying ripe fruit, flinty minerality, and seamless oak integration in perfect harmony.

Tasting Notes & Experience

Golden and luminous in the glass, this Chardonnay opens with aromas of white peach, grapefruit, and roasted hazelnut. The palate reveals lemon brûlée, toasty brioche, and stone fruit layered with saline minerality. Fresh yet creamy, it finishes long and poised with superb tension and length.

Key Details

• Winery: Te Mata Estate
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Region: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2023
• Alcohol: 13%
• Volume: 750 ml
• Other: Sustainable Winegrowing; Estate Grown; Barrel Fermented; Hand Harvested

Craftsmanship & Story

Elston is named after Elston Hall, ancestral home of Charles Darwin’s family — a nod to evolution and excellence. At Te Mata Estate, hand-selected fruit is barrel-fermented in French oak and aged on lees for depth and refinement. The result is a Chardonnay that epitomises Te Mata’s philosophy: balance, purity, and longevity born from meticulous craftsmanship.

Special Features

Elston is the flagship Chardonnay of Te Mata Estate — a wine that unites elegance and structure, combining Hawke’s Bay sunshine with subtle flinty restraint. Its iconic wyvern emblem symbolises its noble character and enduring legacy.

Recognition & Accolades

Consistently ranked among New Zealand’s most acclaimed Chardonnays.

• 96/100 Points – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit (2023)
• 94/100 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (2023)
• 94/100 Points – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front (2023)
• 94/100 Points – Emma Jenkins MW, Decanter (2023)
• 5 Stars – Michael Cooper, NZ Listener (2023)
• 97/100 Points – Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2022)
• 95/100 Points – James Suckling (2022)

These honours affirm Elston’s standing as a benchmark of New Zealand Chardonnay craftsmanship and elegance.

Food Pairings

Elston Chardonnay’s layers of toasted hazelnut, citrus, and peach harmonise beautifully with butter-poached scallops or roast chicken with lemon and herbs. Its creamy texture complements truffle risotto or mushroom pasta, while the wine’s mineral finish refreshes the palate, creating an unforgettable dining experience.

Perfect for Gifting or Sipping

A true icon of Hawke’s Bay, Elston Chardonnay makes an exceptional gift for connoisseurs or the centrepiece of any fine dining occasion — timeless, elegant, and deeply expressive.

Fast, Secure NZ-Wide Delivery

Order online for fast NZ delivery. Lovingly packed with a selection of stylish packaging and a personal message option to complete the perfect gift.