{"title":"Kumeu River | Auckland","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Display Gift Box of Kumeu River Chardonnay's - Maté's Vineyard, Hunting Hill \u0026amp; Coddington\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/Collection_Banner_1878f59c-7740-4d34-87cb-958882a89c18.jpg?v=1627728268\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaté Brajkovich, a Dalmatian by birth, arrived in New Zealand in 1938 and by 1944 he and his parents (Mick and Kate) were able to purchase land in Kumeu with a small vineyard. Back in Dalmatia, many families made wine for their own use from their own vines and so it seemed only natural to do the same in New Zealand. The land was so well-suited for wine grapes that wine production in Kumeu far exceeded home consumption and so the Brajkovichs started making wine commercially, becoming one of the early pioneers in Auckland and helping to establish its reputation as a world-class wine region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough Mick died in 1949, Maté and Katé continued to run the family business which became known as San Marino Vineyards. They produced dry red table wine in the style that was preferred for everyday drinking back in Europe, and soon gained popularity throughout Auckland. In 1957, Maté met his wife, Melba Sutich, whose grandparents had also immigrated to New Zealand from Croatia. Maté and Melba were married in 1958, and as the vineyard and winery expanded, so did the family. Michael was born in 1960, followed by Marijana in 1961, Milan in 1963 and Paul in 1967. For the children, being brought up around the winery established a strong foundation of industry knowledge and skill that would take the winery to a new level of success in years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1979 was a watershed year for Kumeu River, when the Brajkovichs moved away from hybrid varieties used for the production of fortified and basic red and white wines to the now-common - but then-unusual - varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot. As Michael, Milan and Paul became more involved in the family business in the 1980s, the Brajkovichs continued to focus on quality and reputation. It was in 1986 the winery changed its name to Kumeu River Wines and began making a Burgundy-influenced style of Chardonnay that featured indigenous yeasts, extended lees ageing and malolactic fermentation. The result has been a series of wines that are innovative, distinctive and unique in both style and quality for New Zealand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eKUMEU RIVER\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- split --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kumeuriver.co.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"The official website of Kumeu River Wines, Auckland in New Zealand\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/desktop_icon_cd1f9a91-a06b-4665-880d-cc47c0dde6d7_480x480.jpg?v=1588261941\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KumeuRiverWines\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Like Kumeu River Wines on Facebook\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/facebook_icon_d3f13554-5a1f-49e3-a487-0da023dfd02d_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\" alt=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/facebook_icon_d3f13554-5a1f-49e3-a487-0da023dfd02d_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KumeuRiverWines\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Follow Kumeu River Wines on Twitter\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/twitter_icon_34f9bd96-ace0-4f23-b0ee-0e0d2f8cc379_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\" alt=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/twitter_icon_34f9bd96-ace0-4f23-b0ee-0e0d2f8cc379_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/kumeu_river\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Follow Kumeu River on Instagram\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/instagram_icon_07bcf872-b0f0-428b-b788-b56bac71ff21_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\" alt=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/instagram_icon_07bcf872-b0f0-428b-b788-b56bac71ff21_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"kumeu-river-coddington-chardonnay","title":"Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay is produced from a vineyard owned by Tim and Angela Coddington and whose grapes have contributed to the blend of Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay since 1998. It is a vineyard that produces very rich and unctuous Chardonnay that the team at Kumeu have long believed could make an excellent single vineyard wine. In 2006 it was decided to give Coddington single vineyard status to reflect this vineyard’s unique character. The 2022 vintage continues the run of excellent vintages. Harvested in perfect conditions the 2022 Coddington shows a step up from what we have seen in the past from this vineyard. The wine is beautifully ripe in the yellow peach and apricot spectrum, with a background of toasted oak and caramelised hazelnut. It is the biggest style in our range, and satisfyingly rich as such, but also nicely balanced with its acidity. [#intro]Density, concentration \u0026amp; all the luscious creaminess expected of the Coddington vineyard...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39477893398595,"sku":"A23KUMEUCODDINGTON-1","price":43.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/CoddingtonBottle.jpg?v=1627736545"},{"product_id":"kumeu-river-rays-road-chardonnay","title":"Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhile the Brajkovich family’s legacy was built in the clay soils of Auckland, Rays Road represents their boldest move into the limestone-rich hills of Hawke’s Bay. Perched at 180 metres above sea level in the Raukawa district, this north-facing, dry-farmed vineyard is Kumeu River’s \"Chablis\" project. The unique soil profile here (rare for New Zealand) imparts a mineral-driven structure that stands in vivid contrast to the broader, weightier wines of the Kumeu estate. The 2024 Rays Road Chardonnay is a wine of electric energy. The nose is high-toned and fragrant, offering an expressive bouquet of lime zest, green apple, and white peach, layered with a signature \"flinty\" reduction and notes of crushed oyster shells. On the palate, the wine is sleek and linear, driven by a vibrant, \"raspy\" acidity typical of limestone terroir. However, unlike previous vintages, the 2024 shows a deeper core of fruit and a creamy, leesy texture derived from its 11 months in older French oak. It is a wine that feels both steely and sophisticated. [#intro]A striking limestone driven Chardonnay from Hawkes Bay offering Chablis like tension and modern vibrant energy...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40611771875395,"sku":"A24KUMEURAYSROAD","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/RaysRoadChardonnayBottle.jpg?v=1628419177"},{"product_id":"kumeu-village-chardonnay","title":"Kumeu River 'Village' Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eKumeu Village Chardonnay is made by Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich from sustainably grown Chardonnay grapes that are sourced from vineyards in Kumeu and Hawkes Bay. Fermented using local wild yeast with extended maturation on the yeast lees. The wine is bottled at the Kumeu River Cellars in Kumeu. The perfect aperitif Chardonnay, it's a wine that pairs very well with all types of seafood. Fermented 40% in old French oak barriques, and 60% in stainless steel tanks there is very little oak influence on either nose or palate. This has allowed the vibrant fruit to show through beautifully with lively lime and lemon aromas and a flinty, mineral edginess with hints of fig and white peach. [#intro]Made by Michael Brajkovich M.W., this is the perfect aperitif Chardonnay ready to drink now...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40625293656131,"sku":"A23KUMEUVILLAGECHD","price":17.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/VillageChardonnayBtcopy.jpg?v=1695399599"},{"product_id":"kumeu-river-estate-chardonnay","title":"Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eFruit for the Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu Region. Only the very best, hand-harvested, grapes from these vineyards are selected for the Kumeu River Estate label. At the winery the grapes are whole-bunch pressed, fermentation is 100% barrel and 100% malo-lactic with 11 months maturation in barrel. The Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay is particularly ripe, peachy and not only delicious to drink, but also has the concentration and lingering complexity that you can expect from this wine. This is quality Chardonnay of style and pedigree that has the capability of aging as well as any of its predecessors. [#intro]A concentrated, ripe, peachy \u0026amp; delicious to drink Chardonnay with lingering complexity...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55389325394301,"sku":"A23KUMEUESTATECHARDONNAY-1","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/KumeuEstateChardonnayBt.jpg?v=1695830179"},{"product_id":"kumeu-river-hunting-hill-chardonnay","title":"Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmong the single-vineyard releases from the Brajkovich family, Hunting Hill is often the one that sets the hearts of Burgundy lovers racing. If the Maté’s Vineyard is the opulent king, Hunting Hill is the elegant, athletic prince. Planted on the slope overlooking Maté’s, this vineyard consistently produces wines with a distinctive \"mealy\" minerality and a piercing, high-toned citrus profile that draws frequent - and deserved - comparisons to the finest 1er Cru Puligny-Montrachet. The 2024 growing season in Kumeu was one of dramatic concentration. A cold snap during flowering in late 2023 naturally thinned the crop, resulting in yields that were down by over 30%. However, the summer that followed was near-perfect - dry, warm, but never excessively hot - allowing the fruit to ripen with incredible physiological maturity while retaining that signature Kumeu acidity. The 2024 Hunting Hill emerged as the \"powerhouse\" of the vintage releases, carrying a slightly riper alcohol profile that gives the wine a \"thunderous\" presence on the palate. The Hunting Hill Chardonnay has a sophisticated bouquet of lemon and lime blossom, white peach, and a distinctive flinty, struck-match reduction. The palate is where the low yields truly speak; it is concentrated, layered, and driven by a core of salted citrus and exotic spices like star anise and fennel. The oak - polished French barriques, 25% new - is masterfully integrated, smoothing the edges and adding a nutty, toasted hazelnut complexity that lingers on a tight, focused, and exceptionally long finish. [#intro]The Hunting Hill Chardonnay is a tour de force of precision, power \u0026amp; crystalline New Zealand minerality...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40631200612419,"sku":"A24KUMEUHUNTINGHILL","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/HuntingHillBottle.jpg?v=1695832597"},{"product_id":"kumeu-river-cremant-rose-nv-sparkling-wine","title":"Kumeu River Crémant Rosé NV","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe team at Kumeu River have for a long time thought that they could produce high quality sparkling wine from their vineyards in Kumeu, particularly from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Kumeu River Crémant fulfils this long held ambition. The French term Crémant may only be used to describe a specific type of sparkling wine and must meet exacting production methods to maintain the integrity of the name. These include a second alcoholic fermentation in the bottle and a maturation on yeast lees of not less than nine months. A similar set of standards apply to the vinification, including hand harvesting and whole bunch pressing. As the term implies, the taste should be creamy. To use the term Kumeu Crémant all the fruit used to make these wines must come from the estates vineyards at Kumeu River. The grapes are all hand harvested, gently pressed and spend 3 years on yeast lees before disgorgement to create a deliciously textural and refreshing sparkling wine. For the Kumeu Crémant Rosé, Kumeu River Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes blend together to create a deliciously dry and perfectly pink Crémant. The aromas of summer sparkle from the glass, freshly picked strawberries and white stone fruits abound on the textural palate. The perfect aperitif fizz! [#intro]A deliciously dry \u0026amp; perfectly pink Crémant from Kumeu River Wines in Auckland...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40631267721283,"sku":"NVKUMEUCREMANTROSE","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/CremantRoseBt.jpg?v=1695835512"},{"product_id":"kumeu-river-cremant-sparkling-wine","title":"Kumeu River Crémant NV","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis edition of Kumeu River Crémant NV is a delicious dry sparkling wine made from a blend of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%) grown in the 2016 vintage (although there is a small percentage of older reserve wine added to the blend to give more maturity and complexity). To use the term Kumeu Crémant all the fruit used to make this wine must come from the estate's own vineyards at Kumeu River. The grapes are hand harvest, gently pressed and then spent 3 years on yeast lees before disgorgement in February 2021, to create a deliciously textural, refreshing sparkling wine. [#intro]A deliciously textural \u0026amp; refreshing dry sparkling wine from the team at Kumeu River...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40653813579843,"sku":"NVKUMEUCREMANT","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/CremantBt.jpg?v=1697375689"},{"product_id":"kumeu-river-village-pinot-noir","title":"Kumeu River 'Village' Pinot Noir 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eFruit for the Kumeu River 'Village' Pinot Noir is primarily sourced from a vineyard at Rays Road in Hawkes Bay and blended with some outstanding richer Kumeu fruit leading to delicious results. The wine displays a bright cherry red \/burgundy colour with lifted red fruit aromas. On the palate the wine is cool, round and fruity and with a nice hint of chalky tannin that keeps the wine dry and refreshing.[#intro]A soft, fruity, fresh \u0026amp; well made Pinot Noir from the Kumeu River team...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40957079158851,"sku":"A22KUMEUVILLAGEPN","price":17.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/VillagePinotNoirBT.jpg?v=1708540238"},{"product_id":"kumeu-river-village-pinot-gris","title":"Kumeu River 'Village' Pinot Gris 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Kumeu River 'Village' Pinot Gris is made by Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich from sustainably grown Pinot Gris grapes that are hand-harvested from Kumeu's own vineyards. At the winery they are gently whole-bunch pressed and fermented using local wild yeast with extended maturation on the yeast lees. The aromas have typical peach and stone fruit notes tinged with the floral perfume that you can expect from well-made Pinot Gris. The wine is lively, complex and lingers on the palate. Pinot Gris is a variety that goes particularly well with food, including quite intensely flavoured dishes. It is also one of the few wine styles that can handle the spiciness of chilli. [#intro]A lively, complex \u0026amp; aromatic Pinot Gris made by renowned Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55351202185597,"sku":"A23KUMEUVILLAGEPINOTRGRIS-1","price":17.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/VillagePinotGrisBT.jpg?v=1739716821"},{"product_id":"kumeu-river-mates-vineyard-chardonnay","title":"Kumeu River Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Maté’s Vineyard is the undisputed crown jewel of the Kumeu River estate, a site where history and viticulture collide to produce what is arguably New Zealand’s most prestigious Chardonnay. Planted in 1990 by Maté Brajkovich on the original land purchased by the family in 1944, this vineyard is home to the Mendoza clone, famous for its \"hen and chicken\" berries that provide a unique intensity of flavour. The 2023 vintage tells a story of meticulous selection. Following a season of dramatic rainfall and flash flooding in Auckland, the Brajkovich family’s commitment to hand-harvesting and rigorous triage was more critical than ever. The resulting wine is a departure from the tropical punch of sunnier years, leaning instead into a steely, composed, and flinty personality. On the palate, the 2023 Maté’s Vineyard is a masterclass in tension. It displays a \"millefeuille\" of texture (layered and complex) with notes of Meyer lemon, ginger cream, and white peach, all bound together by a racy, mouth-watering acidity. To maintain the purity of the fruit in this lighter-framed vintage, no new oak was used, allowing the natural mineral drive and saline finish to take centre stage. [#intro]An iconic Chardonnay from Kumeu River offering intense mineral drive \u0026amp; refined Burgundian elegance...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kumeu River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57973825929597,"sku":"A23KUMEUMATES","price":53.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/MatesChardonnayBT.jpg?v=1774510041"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/Collection_Image_f2d9d628-b98b-4bf7-a591-844bc2df2545.jpg?v=1627729913","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/kumeu-river-auckland\/kumeu-river.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}