For Bodega Catena, every wine speaks of the vineyard, pioneering a research project into the microclimates of Mendoza. Through the planting of select clones on various blocks, Bodega Catena were able to identify the ideal locations. Sites which are just a few kilometers apart can have vast differences in altitude and possess markedly different microclimates. The same varietal and even the same clone, can exhibit distinct aromatic and flavour profiles. Crafted from the fruit of ancient rows, a purity of flavour and a minerality that's identifiably Adrianna and Domingo Vineyards Chardonnay.

For those who like their Chardonnay in the big boned euro style, mesmerisingly layered in complexity and flavour, richly barrel fermented in a high proportion of new French oak, followed by ten months building palate texture and infusing interest as it ages over gross yeast lees. Angelo and Wendy Diletti selected the Castle Rock site in 1981, with a view to creating a range of superlative wines which express the opulence of Albany's magnificent maritime clime. Brimming with stonefruits, meal and brulee, the Chardonnay of choice to accompany white meat recipes, fresh fishes or fowl.

Castello della Sala is situated on a rocky bluff in the Umbrian Apennines, not far from the border with Tuscany. The castle, surrounded by ancient Etruscan towns, midway between Paglia River and the peak of Mt Nibbio, was built in 1350 for Angelo Monaldeschi della Vipera, whose family had accompanied Charlemagne on his visit to Rome in the 9th century. The estate now grows the finest parcels of Chardonnay and Grechetto in all Umbria, vinification techniques remain in the old world, the style of the finished wines however are timeless, opulent and profound.

The team at Castelli can call on precious yields of the most exceptional Chardonnay, the goal being to construct a new world wine that's very much in the style of Grand Cru Chablis. Essential to the task is a judicious component of early picked fruit, wild yeasts, battonage and fermentation on full solids in a high proportion of new French oak. A big boned Chardonnay of creamy acidity and the most stately structure, its myriad of undulating flavours and profound complexity intertwine and evolve around the solid core of exuberant, savoury fruit.

Pemberton makes intense Chardonnay, textural and rich in the style of the timeless classics from the grand vineyards of the old world. Fashioned to the luxurious regimens of barrel ferments and lees stirring battonage, Castelli make a big Chardonnay wine of lifted nutty spice complexity, gunflint and minerality, power, elegance and exquisite length, all supported by sound structure and nougaty French oak. Ageworthy if you are prepared to wait, sublime drinking right now alongside the finest white meats, dressed with creamy white sauces, truffles and morel.

Crafted from the pick of crop, grown to the finest Margaret River vineyards, Capel Vale displays strong regionality while articulating its pure varietal nature. Climatically unique for such fortuitous maritime climes, the growing seasons encourage Chardonnay grapes to ripen slowly and completely, translating into wines of elegance, tightness and finesse. A combination of new and old world vinification techniques, malolactic ferments and lees stirring, achieves a textural, creamy Burgundy style of West Australian Chardonnay.

Margaret River has earned a stellar international reputation for the most statuesque and refined Chardonnay. After decades of the most exacting standards in viticulture, Cape Mentelle is richly endowed with a peerless inventory of the most salubrious sites in the most excellent health, vines which yield harvests of Chardonnay grapes bursting with intense flavours. The Cape Mentelle style draws inspiration from traditional methods to produce a wine displaying aromatic complexity over a finely textured mouthfeel and long, clean finish.

The generously proportioned, big boned, leesy French oak genre, Dijon Bernard Clones 76 and 95, harvested off fully mature vines, thirty years of age at Charleston in the Adelaide Hills. Grapes are destemmed and pressed for vinification on gross solids before transfer to French oak hogsheads for completion of ferments, in the old world way. Treated to lees stirring and partial malolactic for textural opulence and palate richness, its creamy grapefruit nougat palate will appeal to enthusiasts of the medium to full bodied white meat styles of Chardonnay.

An extremely limited release every year, crafted from grapes picked off the same property which makes the illustrious Sangreal Pinot Noir, a highly mineral site for the growing of Chardonnay in the style of Chablis. By Farr is a profound expression of uniqueness in terroir. A Victorian flagship Chardonnay, exhibiting exquisite balance between fruit freshness and power, texture and minerality. A regimen of lees stirring and full malolactic, further contribute to the understated richness of an immensely engaging white wine.

A compilation of the finest parcels Chardonnay available to the Brown Brothers winemaking team, hand picked and whole bunch pressed into a selection of seasoned and new French oak barriques for a rich course of ferments and completion of full malolactic, a year's maturation and the luxury of regular lees stirring battonage for textural opulence and intriguing complexity. Stone fruits and cashew, citrus and pear, elegant with crystalline minerality and struck match complexity, a long lingering palate, structured and seamless, resplendent and refined.

Brookland Valley operate outstanding vineyards along the length of Margaret River, from Yallingup in the north to Karridale in the south. The picturesque Brookland Valley property on Margaret River is closely managed through sustainable viticultural practices to thrive with the healthiest vines. A superior single vineyard Chardonnay, barrel fermented and treated to the full luxury of wild yeasts and lees stirring battonage, resplendent with opulent textures, brimming with the inimitable charm of the Australian west.

Brookland Valley have consistently led the way with innovation, quality and style. Intensely flavoured Chardonnay grapes are grown to a sunny ridge on an ancient landform, through which a small brook famously known as Wilyabrup, flows to the nearby sea. Brookland Valley wines are considered regional benchmarks, achieving the success that viticulturalists and winemakers dream of. The most superior parcels of estate grown Chardonnay are treated to wild yeast inoculation, luxurious barrel ferments and extended maturation.

It was the compelling efforts of the artisanal Giaconda which placed Beechworth on the map for world class Chardonnay. Indigo Vineyard is a close neighbour, younger in age and slightly different in terms of aspect and clime, it yields a quality of Chardonnay which lends itself to a more modern style of winemaking. A measure of old world practices are nevertheless employed, wild ferments in new French oak and a judicious term of age, the objective is to encourage fruit to unlock its potential, while retaining natural eloquence and sense of place.

Enter Brokenwood's response to the modern day enthusiasm for finely structured Chardonnay with more balance, lower phenolics and timely oak. Established 1988 on the of brisk altitudes of the Orange uplands, Forest Edge Vineyard gives its fruit to a regimen of whole bunches and wild ferments in a mix of new and seasoned French oak, powered by the splendid complexity achieved through indigenous yeasts and lees sediment battonage, its creamy mealyness makes Brokenwood the ideal accompaniement to west coast marron, truffled spatchcock or bugs mornay.

Chardonnay flourishes in the Adelaide Hills where the fruit can realize it's full potential. Located in Balhannah, Lenswood, Forreston and the Piccadilly Valley, the hand tended Bridgewater Mill Vineyards are all over fifteen years old. The unique combination of a chilly climate, diverse soils and natural elevation, all play a major part in making Bridgewater Mill so special. Dominated by varietal fruit, complex and layered through careful vineyard selection and purposeful winemaking techniques, to best express a focused regional wine.

The philosophy at Bress is that good fruit should be treated with respect, to let the wine make itself on its own time in its own way, with a minimal of intervention. A collation of superb Yarra Valley vineyards, grapes are gently whole bunch pressed to a mix of fermenters and seasoned French oak hogsheads for an exclusively wild yeast vinification, followed by six months lees stirring battonage. A fruit filled Chablis style, redolent of white peach, grapefruits and nectarine, exquiste balance throughout, an intensely savoury mid palate richness.

Bream Creek are owned and operated by one of Tasmania's leading viticulturalists. The hand managed vines are grown to salubrious soils on one of the most spectacular coastal locations in Tasmania. The estate's focus is to produce small quantities of pristine fruit which can be vinified into wines which capitalise on the stunning flavours that originate from predominantly old vines. The stirling efforts of Bream Creek are crafted to drink beautifully on release. Chardonnay is treated to partial malolactic fermentation and lees stirring to achieve texture and elegance.

The distinguished Laira property was established by Captain Stentiford in 1893 on a premium parcel of choice Coonawarra Terra rossa soil. Pioneer and patron of the Coonawarra, Eric Brand became custodian of the vineyard more than half a century later. Today, Brand's Laira are widely regarded as some of the region's best plantings, producing wines of exceptional quality as evidenced by their consistent wine show success. The distinctive small berries of the vineyard lead to below average yields, translating into wines with intense flavours.

Adelaide Hills are but an hour's drive from Bleasdale but the style of Chardonnay grown to the cool ripening aspects of elevated, undulating hillsides is a world away from that grown to the Bleasdale property at Langhorne Creek. The Adelaide Hills style is distinctly crisper and more aromatic, one could say it even tastes chilled at room temperature. An extravagant course of barrel ferments, wild yeast vinification and lees exposure makes a richly textured Chardonnay wine with good colour, savoury vanillan aromatics and solid palate structure.