Barrel fermentation with lees stirring allows the peach and apricot fruit characters of the Chardonnay grape to shine. The secondary malo-lactic fermentation gives a full buttery smoothness, balance and length to the finish of this magnificent cool climate wine.

The Yarra Valley is one of the heavyweight regions for Australian Chardonnay, with finesse and length of flavour the hallmarks of the regional style. In the glass: Pale lemon green. On the nose: Apple, grapefruit, oatmeal and almond aromas. On the palate: Fine, elegant and poised yet with power and drive and a delicious core of white and yellow fruits. A savoury, almost salty layer adds complexity, velvety texture and racy acidity.

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.

Yabby Lake's second label is most impressive; Chardonnay in the modern style - less oak and better acid structure. Textured and classy with matchbox flint, grapefruit and an extremely classy precision.

The Ten Minutes by Tractor Chardonnay's have become very well known by Chardonnay lovers across the country and from beyond our shores. This 10X Chardonnay is a blend of non-estate Mornington Peninsula vineyards and is a wonderful example of the current trend in Australian Chardonnay having both structure and body. Great value.

Yering Station, located in the heart of the Yarra Valley, is home to some of Australia's greatest Chardonnay. Their Little Yering Chardonnay provides all the complex aromas and flavours you expect from the artisans from the Melba Highway, but with a price tag that more than friendly. Toasted almonds, lemon/lime notes and a clean, lingering acid that provides an effortless length of flavour.

Ten Minutes By Tractor was the result of a the coming together of a series of journeys that began about 30 years ago. Centred around 3 vineyards that are approximately 10 minutes by tractor apart, the winery is now synonymous with terroir driven wines perfectly suited to Mornington Peninsula. Their estate Chardonnay is a wonderful modern interpretation of the variety with layers of complexity and fruit weight balanced by the ever present acid line that runs through the core of this fantastic wine.

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.