Winemaker Notes
Yealands is inspired by the coast that surrounds the vines, so close to the ocean that the vines are often misted with sea spray. The beauty of this environment influences how Yealands crafts wine, respectful of nature and the land. Yealands’ Seaview Vineyard in the Awatere Valley is one of New Zealand’s most coastal vineyards. Every breath-taking view defines the wines, from the rolling hills and mineral-rich soils, to the wild coastal winds. Yealands’ grapes survive by growing small with thickened skins and wonderfully intense, concentrated characteristics, creating beautiful wines that reflect their distinctive terroir. Yealands believes in sustainable winemaking and creating thoughtfully crafted wines that work in harmony with their landscape. Established in 2008 with the vision to create the world’s most environmentally-friendly wines, Yealands is the first winery in the world to be certified as CarboNZero™ since inception. Yealands’ sustainability efforts are unparalleled, including the installation of New Zealand’s largest solar panel on their winery roof, the burning of vine clippings for energy, vineyard pest control via wildflowers, and the employment of Babydoll sheep as “lawnmowers” to keep vine rows tidy.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Occupying the North Island’s East Cape, Gisborne keeps The Bay of Plenty to its northwest and Hawkes Bay on its southwestern side. It is the country’s most distinctive producer of Chardonnay, with heavy investment here until Sauvignon blanc stole the country’s limelight. Gisborne produces soft and charming Chardonnay, boasting stone and tropical fruit flavors.
The region includes a good number of artisanal winemakers but many larger Auckland producers source from Gisborne for their own Chardonnay bottlings.