Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay

Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay is in every way a distinguished wine. The Tiers Vineyard, planted in 1979 by the Croser family, pioneered the true cool climate wine industry of South Australia.

It was the first vineyard planted in the Adelaide Hills in the 20th century. Situated in the Piccadilly Valley, one of the coolest and wettest locations in South Australia, the climate is almost identical to that of Burgundy, the home of Chardonnay.

The Tiers Vineyard tilts gently to the north and east in a sheltered valley. Tapanappa selects its fruit from the thinner, rocker soils at the top of the slope.

Managed fastidiously by hand on a vine by vine basis, the Tiers Vineyard is hand harvested. The fruit is placed into shallow trays and transported to the winery directly adjacent to the vineyard, where it is chilled.

As whole bunches, the grapes are air bag pressed. After gravity settling in tank, the partially clarified juice and its fluffy lees are racked to one third new French oak barrels, the balance 1-2 years old.

It ferments in the Piccadilly Valley's cool autumn temperatures. Partial malolactic fermentation follows in some vintages. Maturation is in barrel on full lees until the summer, when the wine is racked clear.

Lemon yellow, Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay's hallmark is texture. Subtle vanilla oak and complex yeasty notes complement the fresh fruit, with a slight savoury aftertaste on the long finish.

An exquisite expression of Adelaide Hills Chardonnay. Cellaring potential is 10 years.