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.

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.

The grapes used to craft Warramate Chardonnay were whole bunch pressed, and fermented in French oak barrels and stainless steel. This led to the creation of a pale straw coloured wine with light green hues highlighting its edges. The attractive bouquet is dominated by intense aromas of orange blossom, lemon citrus peel and sea spray minerality. This enticing Chardonnay flaunts a crisp palate containing tangy grapefruit, white peach and citrus flavours, coupled with light saline notes. A firm acid line balances these vibrant characters to culminate in a focused and lengthy finish. Crafted to be relished upon release, this wonderful white wine can also be cellared for 5 years. It tastes great with vegetable terrines, steamed fish and risotto.

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.

Single Vineyard Yarra Valley fruit is hand-picked then 100% French oak fermented to create a complex 'Burgundian' style Chardonnay.Pale with green freshness. Lemon, white peach, cashew and oyster shell. Rich full-flavoured with great balance between fruit and savoury elements, fresh white melon-like acidity, cashew and sourdough savoury elements and savoury oak in support.

Oakridge Wines Vineyard Series Willowlake Chardonnay, Yarra Valley The wines from the Willowlake Vineyard provide a fascinating contrast to those from the Henk Vineyard. First planted in 1992, the vineyard is located near Gladysdale and boasts red volcanic soils and an elevation of 170 metres. Like every wine in the Vineyard Series, minimal intervention in the winery is the name of the game. After hand harvesting, whole bunches are included in the fermentation which takes place in 500 litre French oak puncheons. After nine months maturation on yeast lees, the resulting wine serves up complex characters of citrus, nectarine, fresh dough and gun flint. In a word, its sublime.

Brilliant pale straw colour with tints of green to the outskirts and a watery hue. Aromas of nectarine, white peach and dried honey have a light toast overlay. Delicate citrus and cashew notes are also evident. Fleshy nectarine and white peach flavours line the elegant mid weighted palate with notions of dried honey and faint cashew lying underneath. Finishes with good freshness and a refined aftertaste. Drink over the next 3-4 years. Alc. 12.5%

Yering Station's Yarra Chardonnay displays citrus and subtle cashew notes on the nose with soft minerality and freshness. The palate has great texture and roundness with linear acidity with wonderful length and precision.