Auckland, located on New Zealand’s North Island, has the distinction of being the country’s historical birthplace of viticulture and winemaking. Kumeu is a sub-region of Auckland, with a cool, maritime climate influenced by the South Pacific Ocean. Summer temperatures are cool and winter temperatures are comparatively warm, without seasonal extremes: autumn is generally dry and sunny; however, extended cloud cover is not uncommon. This year’s Village Chardonnay features very attractive lifted fruit aromas, along with a touch of nuttiness and a hint of hazelnut that is so typical of Chardonnay. The palate also shows a nice peachy ripeness along with a crisp flinty character that gives the wine a refreshing cleansing quality. This wine is perfect to drink with fish and shellfish.