Stargazer Chardonnay 2025

Stargazer use fruit from their own Palisander vineyard in Coal River Valley + sourced from growers in Richmond (Marengo) and Penna (Brinktop). The Stargazer plot was planted in 2017, south facing and is primarily brown dermosol on Jurassic dolerite.

Hand picked, whole bunch pressed directly to oak for fermentation. 100% wild ferment in Mercurey French oak puncheons, 23% new. Full malolactic. No lees stirring, left in barrel for 10 months, then blended in tank for 8 weeks before bottling.

“Light straw in colour with green edges, the nose shows some distinct floral notes of tea tree and manuka with sage flower in the background. On the palate there is plenty of fresh lemon zest characters typical of Coal River Valley with some yellow nectarine filling out the fruit profile. This fruit is perfectly integrated with the oak which contributes some nougat and hazelnut skin complexity.” – Samantha Connew