As a young winemaker travelling the globe, the 'Old World' Chardonnay that Ben Riggs fell in love with in the 1980's were described as 'like drinking cold chalk soup', and have inspired him to make this beloved Adelaide Hills Chadonnay. Over the years Ben has been searching for the perfect cold site to make a dry Chardonnay renowned for the purity of its aroma and taste.

An elegant and restrained cool-climate style Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay has been at the forefront of the modern Australian Chardonnay renaissance. Displaying notes of nectarine and citrus underpinned by crisp acidity, it evolves over time to reveal layers of toasty, mealy complexity.

Aromas of white stone fruits, citrus and flint are complemented with toasted nut characters on the palate. High altitude sites product premium fruit with medium weight which is balanced with lively acidity giving elegance and a lingering finish. Hamish and Kate Laurie continue a five generation winemaking tradition. Devoted to the high altitude sites of the Adelaide Hills and with Kate's French oenology training the wines they produce are at once traditional and contemporary. With a fiery passion to create premium bottle fermented and aged sparkling together with aromatic whites that can genuinely cellar, their signature style is focussed, textural, restrained and balanced. At Deviation Road every sip reveals a little of this mystery; a taste of the terroir, a glimpse at the season, a hint of the science and a wink to the heritage that crafts its existence.

For 7 years now, the fruit came from Gibbo’s Vineyard, high in the Piccadilly Valley. Located 560 meters above sea level, nights are cool and the days are fresh, making the region perfect for fruit ripening. Like the previous vintage it has all the hall marks of a great modern chardonnay. According to Halliday, it has great texture, flavour and length. There’s almost a chalkiness to the finish, but there’s plenty of stone fruit, green apple and toast flavours. Finishing with a gentle almond milk character adding that something extra.

Honeydew and brown lime flavours intertwine with a smooth and creamy mid palate. Fine natural acidity give great length and balances the textural oak characters.

2025 Vintage Report - Adelaide Hills The 2025 vintagein Adelaide Hills presented ideal conditions for crafting elegant Chardonnay - a dry growing season concentrated flavors while the region's signature cool nights (especially at our350-400m elevation sites) preserved vibrant natural acidity. These conditions have yielded a wine of remarkable intensity and precision. The Vineyard We selected fruits from theBernard 76 and Bernard 95 clones, originally propagated from Burgundy's finest vineyards. These premium French selections are prized for their small berries and intense flavor concentration - the Bernard 95 contributing bright citrus and mineral notes, while the 76 clone adds texture and stone fruit complexity. When grown in our high-altitude vineyards, they produce wines with exceptional balance and aging potential. Tasting Notes Elegant and finely structured, this cool-climate Chardonnay delivers a crisp yet rounded mouthfeel. Flavors of nectarine, lemon curd, and juicy grapefruit are complemented by a subtle creaminess from well-integrated malolactic fermentation. The French oak is restrained, contributing a silky texture and nuances of spice and cashew. Bright acidity carries the wine to a long, refreshing finish, with a lingering touch of wet stone and a whisper of hazelnut. Vintage & Winemaking Highlights: 2025 Dry season- concentrated flavors with fresh acidity French Bernard clones(76 & 95) from 350-400m elevation Balanced French oakmaturation Harmoniousstone fruit, citrus and mineral profile Adefinitive expression of Adelaide Hills' ability to produce world-class Chardonnay - where exceptional fruit meets thoughtful winemaking. Balhannah Wines- A Journey of Flavour Awaiting Your Discovery.

Gareth and Rainbo Belton are the creative force behind Gentle Folk Wines, a small family winery located on Peramangk Country in beautiful Basket Range, in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. In their previous careers the couple worked as marine scientist