The Old Fire Station, Old Market, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire

Kumeu River, Ray’s Road

Kumeu River was founded in 1944 by Mick Brajkovich, wife Katé and son Maté, Kumeu River was one of the early pioneers in Auckland, New Zealand, that helped to establish its reputation as a world-class wine region. Still family owned and run, Kumeu River continues to pioneer new frontiers: winemaker Michael Brajkovich became New Zealand’s first member of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine, London, and has been testing and championing screw cap closures for close to 20 years.

Ray’s Road is Kumeu River’s new vineyard site in Hawkes Bay. This limestone hillside is at 180 m altitude, with a northerly aspect. It is dry-farmed to yield high quality grapes for wine under the Rays Road name for our Kumeu River label. This Chardonnay was hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in older French Oak barrels to give a wine that is zesty and fragrant, with mineral complexity that is very true to its site.

The resulting wine is closer to Chablis in style as opposed to the rounder, Cote d’Or of the Auckland single vineyard wines. The nose is quiet but there is a tremendous amount of latent complexity lurking underneath. The wine shows vibrant minerality and lemon zest fruit. Drinking fantastically now and will only get better over the next 5 years.

CONTACT TO ORDER

We can deliver anywhere in mainland Britain from £11.95 per case.