Troy Payten and Ben Jones are making wines with soul & personality out of the Yarra Valley. They have a tremendous passion for wine, something that can be found in every glass of their wines. Fruit comes from Tarrawarra and is handled with all the classic chardonnay techniques. Oak maturation, malolactic fermentation and long lees contact. The result is a flinty style with notes of toast and whipped cream. Yum!

Jayden Ong working with some very fine Chardonnay from the upper Yarra Valley.

Giant Steps plays it's part in the rapid accension of Australian Chardonnay back to the position it once held here. That being of the king of white varieties. This is a very stylish numbe from Phil Sexton and his team. Stonefruit, melon and butterscotch characters are supported by vanillin oak and the palate is long and textured with a clean crisp finish.

Light to medium-bodied, tight-knit with white peach, grapefruit, herb and mealy characters,well-balanced acid and a long fresh finish.

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.

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.