In the spotlight of Central Otago, where Pinot Noir usually takes center stage, there's a hidden gem - exceptional Chardonnay wines.

The Felton Road Block 2 stands out as a prime example.

This Chardonnay is a symphony of flintiness and tightly wound elegance, displaying concentrated depth and a rapier-like acidity. The palate is adorned with a touch of salty minerality, leading to a long and flashy finish. This is not just any Chardonnay; it's a masterpiece from a regional icon.

Felton Road's journey began in 1991 with meticulous site selection and vineyard design, embodying an unwavering commitment to excellence. Adhering to a strict 100% estate policy and embracing fully organic and biodynamic viticulture (BioGro and Demeter certified), Felton Road ensures that their fruit arrives at the winery in its purest form. Their estate strives for true sustainability, embracing hands-off winemaking techniques such as gravity flow, indigenous yeasts, and malolactic fermentation. Fining and filtration are avoided, preserving the wine's authentic expression of terroir. The result? Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir that authentically capture the complexity of their unique vineyards.

Felton Road oversees four properties spanning 34 hectares in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. Block 2, planted in 1992, graces a gentle east-facing slope with deep angular schist soils, just north of Block 3 on The Elms vineyard. Meticulous summer management, employing a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy, ensures even and early fruit maturity. Every step, from shoot thinning to harvest, is executed by hand, guaranteeing optimal fruit quality. Cover crops between rows contribute to vine balance, soil health, and overall biodiversity.

The vintage of Block 2 witnessed higher-than-normal rainfall in spring and early summer, coupled with warmer soil temperatures, fostering robust early-season growth. Ideal conditions during flowering led to an early onset, with a minor impact on fruit set, mainly affecting Riesling. Warm and dry January weather propelled veraison, but a cooler February brought relief, slowing down the development. A return to warmth and dryness in early March hastened grape ripening, culminating in the early Chardonnay harvest from March 16 to March 24.