A.Rodda ‘Smiths’ Beechworth Chardonnay 2018

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

Adrian has done his time and earned his stripes. He’s consistently making excellent wines, particularly his range of delicious Chardonnay’s.

About A.Rodda

‘Adrian Rodda has been winemaking since 1998, almost entirely working with David Bicknell at Oakridge. He was thus involved in the development of the superb Oakridge 864 Chardonnay, his final contribution to 864 coming in 2009. At the start of 2010 he and his wife Christie, a doctor, and their small but growing family, decided to move to Beechworth, and it was no co-incidence that he was a long-term friend of viticulturist Mark Walpole. Yet further co-incidences came with the Smith vineyard and winery being available for lease, which he now shares with Mark Walpole. Even more, was the availability of Smith Vineyard Chardonnay, planted in 1978, and thus the release of the first A. Rodda wines. One should hardly be surprised that it is so good.’
James Halliday 

The Vineyard

The Smiths Vineyard was planted in 1978 at an elevation of 550 metres above sea level at the cross-over between the two soil types that define the Beechworth region; the shaley red Ordovician soil and the granitic soil.

The vineyard has a gentle easterly aspect with the back half of the block more south facing.

Winemaking

Grapes were hand picked and pressed to 500 litre French oak puncheons (about 1/3rd % first use) without clarification or racking for non-temperature controlled, natural fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was not encouraged so as to preserve freshness and natural acidity. The wine was rested on it lees for 9 months prior to bottling.