WinemakingAll fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed. The cuvee taille (first cut free-run juice) was settled naturally overnight prior to racking to a mix of stainless steel tank and large format old barrels for fermentation.Fermented and aged separately in small batch lots on settled lees for nine months. The blended wine then underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle. This wine has been aged for an extended period on its autolysing yeast lees for more than four years to garner richness and complexity to its innate elegance and finesse.Winemaker's notesThe protracted growing season allowed a drawn-out ripening, resulting in an uncommon richness of flavour tempered by the abundant natural acidity contributed by the season.A bouquet of nashi pear, glazed brioche, lemon cheesecake and Amaretti buscuit. Flavours of nougat, lemon rind, jasmine and chestnut underpin a palate of steely acidity with delicated bubble, fruit weight and earthy 'sur lie' characters providing textural accompaniement, richness and creaminess to the finish. An excellent match for freshly-shucked oysters or semi-hard cow's milk cheeses.

The aspiration of Oakridge LVS -- or Local Vineyard Series -- wines is to be outstanding expressions of single vineyards within the Yarra Valley. Local Vineyard Series wines enable wine lovers to compare and contrast the power of terroir and geography in winemaking. In essence, different grape varieties thrive in different soils, and Yarra Valley terroirs and altitudes vary widely. Oakridges expertise and understanding of the region allows viticulturists and winemakers to match a particular variety with a particular site -- with marvellous results. Almost all LVS wines are cellarworthy. The Willowlake Vineyard is just outside Gladysdale in Victorias Upper Yarra Valley. Planted in 1979 at an elevation 300 metres, the cool-grown Chardonnay here ranks with the regions very best. Add the skills of leading Chardonnay exponent David Bicknell and these hand-picked grapes become wines that express their variety and origin with consummate precision and flair.

Oakridge are at their best with premium Chardonnay, and it shows here. This is their signature; delicious nectarine and minerals, finely textured structure and gorgeous length.

Located in a protected valley, Tarraford Vineyard is cooler than its neighbouring sites. A bright and fruit-driven Chardonnay, expect citrus and tropical fruit aromas of orange, pineapple and passion fruit on the nose. A medium bodied wine on the palate, it's delicate and fresh with tropical and citrus flavours. You'll be surprised by its creamy texture and refreshing acidity which supports the lingering tropical flavours through the long finish. 'Winemaker Steve Flamsteed's chardonnays are Yarra benchmarks. This has syrupy white peach, grapefruit, herb and mealy aromas that build in the mouth, finishing long and stylish.' - Score 94 Value Good. - Age, Melbourne, 27 Aug 2013, by Ralph Kyte-Powell. Gold Medal | Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2014.

Yarra Yering, well known for their pristine and elegant red wines, also make one of the Yarra Valley's premier Chardonnays. Made solely from the original 1969 plantings, the Yarra Yering Chardonnay is fermented traditionally in open top fermenters and crafted to age in bottle for extended periods. The wine goes through 100% malolactic fermentation which adds complexity and roundness without foregoing natural acidity and structure. Aged in 40% new French oak, this classic white wine combines intense opulence with finesse & textural flintiness.

David Bicknell is a Chardonnay perfectionist with a passion for terroir and contrasts in the characters of different vineyard sites. In the glass: Bright fine straw with a green hue. On the nose: Fabulous purity and lift with ripe, complex stonefruit combining with lees and struck match magic. On the palate: A complex funky monster! It shows tremendous depth and umami being satiny soft throughout with amazing refined power and balance and extraordinary length and persistence. Classy!

Hand-picked & whole-bunch pressed, a wine of texture and structure, with flavours of pink grapefruit and white peach.

Airlie Bank dares to treat drinkers with respect by delivering wines that are delicious and true - as well as remarkably good value. Tim Shand and the team enjoy freedom to push boundaries. Their small-batch ethos has led to a great deal of creativity and ever-decreasing doses of sulphur. Bright acitity on the nose with doughy, bready complexities. This wine is fresh and vibrant with a focussed palate structure of apple blossom and citrus characters with complex brioche notes.

A Yarra Valley chardonnay from the cooler Coldstream Sub-region off Spring Lane (Yarra Valley. Handpicked and whole bunch pressed with full solids to 800L Rousseau muids and older barrels, fermented with indigenous yeasts and left sur lees for 8 months before being bottled unfiltered and unfined.