Chardonnay

This is the variety known to grow well in most grape growing regions of Australia. In the Hunter Valley it takes on the characteristics of our soils and climatic conditions. The fruity characteristics of this variety are assisted in their preparation by maturation in American oak barrels.

The Chardonnays are the Catherine Vale “flagship” wines made with great attention to detail and offered in a style unique to our vineyard.

The grapes are carefully hand picked and checked for quality at the bins prior to transportation to the winery. The juice is fermented in stainless steel vats and there is some partial barrel fermentation before being transferred to both new and 1,2,3 and 4-year-old American oak small barrels. The different lots are then blended to our taste to provide the special Catherine Vale flavour.

We use American oak barrels in preference to French oak to preserve the fruit flavour of the Chardonnay and avoid the possibility of oak dominance. The wine is full bodied in flavour and the careful use of the American oak gives it that extra complexity and dimension which makes Catherine Vale Chardonnay so special.