Nestled within the tapestry of our history, Hunting Hill emerged from the earth in 1982, its vines intertwining with the very essence of Kumeu River. An integral thread in the original Chardonnay blend, this vineyard stands sentinel on the slope, gazing upon Maté’s Vineyard below. Across the years, it has bestowed upon us an abundance of succulent, sun-kissed fruit, infusing our Estate Chardonnay with its richness.
A new chapter began in 2000, when the rebirth of Hunting Hill took root. Rising from the earth once more, its vines now bear even greater treasures, offering fruit that embodies the pinnacle of ripeness. A symphony of flavors dances on the palate, while a distinctive minerality, reminiscent of sun-warmed earth, adds an extra layer of allure. This metamorphosis has elevated Hunting Hill to an echelon of splendor beyond its former self, a true testament to the passage of time and the mastery of nature.
The incredible run of vintages since 2019 has continued with 2022. The conditions during harvest were suburb and 2022 produced a classic Hunting Hill. Very distinctive terroir driven typicity, with piercing lemon/lime fruit lift and florality on the nose, richness and volume in the mouth followed by lingering acidity and minerality on the finish. This is an absolute classic example of how great the Chardonnay grape can be: A beautifully powerful, yet elegant and complex wine with long term aging ability.
Hunting Hill is the steely, driven and mineral wine of the three and as such draws comparisons to Puligny Montrachet. These wines need a little more bottle age or decanting than the others, but are magnificent and elegantly powerful. The vines, planted in 2000, reached 20 years old in 2020 and the added depth in recent vintages is a testament to that vine age. It is more often than not Farr Vintners’ favourite wine in the range, and that is the case again in 2020. It displays all the hallmarks of a great Hunting Hill – limey fruit, cutting acidity and mineral drive. There is a pithy, grippy texture to showcase the ageing potential, and with time in the glass it unfurls into a magnificently complex wine. A stunning example that would rival many Premier and even Grand Crus from the Côte de Beaune.