The producer · New Zealand

Kumeu River

New Zealand
15 bottlings in catalog
New Zealand
Kumeu River
The estate

Kumeu River is the New World's quietest great Chardonnay house. Farmed by the Brajkovich family — Croatian immigrants who settled at Kumeu, west of Auckland, in 1944 — the estate rose to international fame under Michael Brajkovich, New Zealand's first Master of Wine, whose hand-harvested, wild-fermented Chardonnays from Maté's Vineyard, Hunting Hill and Coddington have repeatedly stood beside celebrated white Burgundies in blind tastings and come out ahead. The style is unmistakable: struck-match complexity, vivid acidity and a texture that rewards a few years in the cellar, at prices that remain among fine wine's genuine bargains.

OwnershipBrajkovich family, Croatian roots, at Kumeu since 1944
PeopleMichael Brajkovich — New Zealand's first Master of Wine
MethodHand harvesting, indigenous-yeast fermentation

Wines from this producer

01
Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2017 97 Wine Advocate Drinking now · best from 2022 $594.00/ 6-btl case $99.00 per bottle See buying options → 02
Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2017 97 Erin Larkin Drinking now · best from 2027 $570.00/ 6-btl case $95.00 per bottle See buying options → 03
Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2018 96 James Suckling Drinking now · at peak $834.00/ 6-btl case $139.00 per bottle See buying options → 04
Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2019 95 Erin Larkin Drinking now · at peak $474.00/ 6-btl case $79.00 per bottle See buying options → 05
Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2019 96 Erin Larkin Drinking now · at peak $510.00/ 6-btl case $85.00 per bottle See buying options → 06
Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2020 95 Rebecca Gibb MW Drinking now · at peak $690.00/ 6-btl case $115.00 per bottle See buying options → 07
Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2020 97 Vinous Drinking now · at peak $810.00/ 6-btl case $135.00 per bottle See buying options → 08
Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2021 97 Vinous Drinking now · at peak $894.00/ 6-btl case $149.00 per bottle See buying options → 09
Coddington Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Coddington Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2022 95 Erin Larkin Drinking now · best from 2027 $594.00/ 6-btl case $99.00 per bottle See buying options → 10
Coddington Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Coddington Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2023 95 James Suckling Drinking now · best from 2028 $354.00/ 6-btl case $59.00 per bottle See buying options → 11
Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2023 96 James Suckling Drinking now · at peak $390.00/ 6-btl case $65.00 per bottle See buying options → 12
Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2023 97 James Suckling Drinking now · best from 2028 $750.00/ 6-btl case $125.00 per bottle See buying options → 13
Coddington Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Coddington Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2024 97 James Suckling Drinking now · best from 2029 $594.00/ 6-btl case $99.00 per bottle See buying options → 14
Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2024 95 Rebecca Gibb MW Drinking now · best from 2029 $510.00/ 6-btl case $85.00 per bottle See buying options → 15
Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River
 Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu River · 2024 98 James Suckling Drinking now · best from 2029 $474.00/ 6-btl case $79.00 per bottle See buying options →