Kumeu River Hunting Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2025

The 2025 vintage marks the 20th release of Hunting Hill as a Single Vineyard Chardonnay – a fitting milestone for a wine that has become one of the stars of the legendary Kumeu River portfolio.

The Hunting Hill vineyard was first planted in 1982 and for many years formed a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend, prized for the lovely ripe, rich fruit it brought to the wine. Occupying the slope overlooking Maté’s Vineyard, Hunting Hill has always been regarded as a distinctive site with plenty of individual character. The vineyard was replanted in 2001 and has gone from strength to strength, producing beautifully ripe fruit with its signature mealy minerality.

Hand harvested and whole-bunch pressed, the 2025 is 100% barrel fermented and undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation, building wonderful texture, depth and complexity. There’s richness and concentration here, but also the freshness, precision and fine structure that have become hallmarks of Kumeu River Chardonnay.

The result is a beautifully composed Chardonnay with ripe fruit, savoury complexity and that distinctive mealy, mineral character running through the palate. Powerful without being heavy, it has impressive depth and a long, finely balanced finish.