Willow Lake Vineyard Chardonnay

A. Rodda Willow Lake Vineyard Chardonnay began with the intention to find another vineyard like the Smiths Vineyard in Beechworth with mature vines on a cool climate site.

The fruit draws from the Willow Lake Vineyard in the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley, planted in 1979.

Its winemaking thumbprint is identical to A. Rodda's other Chardonnay Project wines – sourced from the Smiths Vineyard and the Baxendale Vineyard in Whitlands – so the individual expression of site and region is clear.

The fruit is pressed to French oak barrels without clarification or racking. Natural fermentation takes place without temperature control. Malolactic fermentation is not encouraged to preserve freshness and natural acidity.

After 10 months resting on lees the wine is bottled with minimal fining.

Pale straw, A. Rodda Willow Lake Vineyard Chardonnay is medium bodied, balancing fruit flavours, chalky texture and a long natural acidity. Cellaring potential is 10 years.