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.

Franco DAnna is an absolue perfectionist from vineyard to bottle. This is a fantastic example of rich, powerful Chardonnay.In the glass: Pale lemon.On the nose: Ruby grapefruit, apple, peach and cashew. On the palate: Powerful and layered with a solid core of white and yellow fruit, nutty complexity, creamy texture, a subtle salty hint, racy acidity and lovely savoury oak support.

Bright straw yellow. Complex bouquet, with notes of pear, white peach, and barley sugar with barrel ferment characters. Fresh and bright, with a generous mid palate weight, and a creamy texture, ripe white peach, oatmeal and pear balanced by citrus acidity and cedar spiced - oak finish. Chardonnay was destemmed and pressed direct to barrel for fermentation using wild yeast. Then matured in French oak barriques (30% new) for 12 months, with regular lees stirring and minimal MLF, then fined, filtered and bottled in February 2018. Enjoy now or cellar for 4 to 8 years.

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!

This is a newer world style of Chardonnay showing the elegance of fresh cool climate. Once harvested, the fruit was whole bunch pressed with the un-clarified juice that was fermented with inoculated yeast in seasoned French Oak Barriques. The wine by Paringa Estate was barrel stirred fortnightly during the eleven months of maturation and was sulphured early to retain fruit freshness & prevent malolactic fermentation. The bouquet of this wine is a mix nectarine, citrus/orange and complex sulphide solids aromas. The palate has similar fresh citrus & nectarine fruit flavours along with fine acidity. Chardonnay fruit combined with the complexity of barrel fermentation & maturation.

Sandro Mosele continues to take Kooyong's estate wines to heights unseen for the price. Focus, linear acidity and supreme elegance are all hallmarks of Sandro's work and all can be seen here. Along with great precision, comes lovely fruit characters also that work with a whole range of Asian-fusion cuisine.

Toolangi is a state forest just outside Healesville that was devastated during Black Saturday. The excellent vineyards remain, and continue to produce wines of personality and place. The Chardonnay combines varietal characters of quince and crab apple with some delicious nutty oak nuances. Its great value.

It may be the second label of Scotchman's Hill but don't be deceived the quality of this wine is first rate! Delicate, floral and perfumed aromas are backed up by ripe melon and stone fruit flavours.

Shadowfax Chardonnay is blended from premium cool climate districts of southern Victoria. This Chardonnay crafted by Matt Harrop is elegant and complex with attractive varietal and barrel derived characters.