Vidal Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay

Description

Vidal Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay made from grapes grown in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay.

Vidal Estate: Established 1905

Vidal Estate was established in 1905 by Anthony Joseph Vidal, a young Spanish immigrant who had arrived in New Zealand in 1888. He spent the years before he founded Vidal working for his uncle Joseph Soler, one of the pioneers of the New Zealand wine industry.

Located in Hawke’s Bay, North Island

The estate is located in Hastings in the Hawke’s Bay region of the North Island, and it is here where his first vines were planted. It is not the original site, but the company’s modern, state-of-the-art winery is situated. Vidal sources its grapes mainly from Hawke’s Bay, including some of the world-famous Gimblett Gravels.

Vidal Chardonnay Vineyards

The fruit for the Vidal Chardonnay is sourced from vineyards in the cooler valleys of Dartmoor and Ohiti, along with the warmer, free-draining Bridge Pa and neighbouring gravel-based soils of Omahu. In the vineyard, particular attention was given to “opening up” vine canopies, yield restriction and selective harvesting.

Vidal Chardonnay Winemaking

• After harvest, the grapes are crushed and gently pressed.
• The juice is allowed to naturally settle.
• The settled juice is then racked with light lees.
• Fermentation takes place in seasoned French barrique (20%) and tank.
• The small portion aged in seasoned oak adds subtle flavour, aroma, and texture to the wine.
• The remaining portion aged in tank provides fruit purity and clarity to the final blend.
• Both fermentation portions are aged and stirred on lees.
• This lees ageing adds further complexity and enhances the mouthfeel of the wine.

The head winemaker is Hugh Crichton, who has worked at Vidal since 2004 and as winemaker since 2006. Vidal Estate is dedicated to environmentally friendly winemaking and sustainable winegrowing practices.