Kumeu River, Village Chardonnay, 2024

Kumeu River has earned a reputation as New Zealand’s answer to white Burgundy—and not in a gimmicky way. Their Village Chardonnay is the gateway into that style, sourced from estate and trusted grower vineyards around Kumeu, just north of Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island.

Made by the Brajkovich family, who have quietly been refining their Chardonnay for decades, the 2024 is fermented with wild yeast and aged in a mix of stainless steel and older oak barrels. The result is a wine with great texture and zip, delivering layers of citrus, white peach, and struck flint, but always with restraint.

The Village bottling doesn’t see new oak and is generally less rich than their estate wines, making it a brilliant value for fans of Chablis, Macon, or leaner styles of Meursault. It’s dry, balanced, and extremely food-friendly.