Heavy rain in the Riverina just before vintage affected some of the earlier varieties, with sugar levels a little lower than expected for the Chardonnay. The fruit was picked in the first weeks of February and immediately crushed, destemmed, and chilled to drainer and screw-press to minimise juice contact with the red coloured skins of the grape. The juice is then fermented at temperatures of 14° – 16°C using a carefully selected yeast to optimise varietal expression. Finally, the wine is blended and filtered for bottling as soon as possible to retain freshness and crisp fruit flavours.