Roving Sommelier is passionate about premium quality New Zealand regional wines. What’s more, award-winning sommelier, Robert Giorgione is also a New Zealand Brand Ambassador and is passionate about all the wines he represents.

Kumeu River first came onto my wine radar back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when I met Michael Brajkovich MW for the first time at a New Zealand wine tasting in London. They quickly became one of my favourite New Zealand boutique vineyards and I have been following them with interest (and purchasing their wines) ever since. What’s more, Kumeu River wines, especially their world renowned, iconic Chardonnays, for instance their single vineyard expressions such as “Maté’s Vineyard” and “Hunting Hill” have become New Zealand benchmarks, that will always feature near the top of my New Zealand wine bucket list. I have tasted wines with Michael Brajkovich MW on many occasions and was fortunate enough to visit the vineyard during the 2006 vintage harvest when I spent a few days there.

Made by Master of Wine, Michael Brajkovich, from sustainably grown Chardonnay grapes that are hand-harvested and sorted from vineyards in Kumeu and Hawke’s Bay, then gently whole-bunched pressed. Fermented using local wild yeast with extended maturation on the yeast lees. Bottled at the cellars in Kumeu. Suitable for all occasions and ready to drink now.

Best enjoyed served lightly chilled and in a convivial atmosphere.

Kumeu River is also a member of New Zealand Family of Twelve.