Product Description:
An heirloom vineyard reaches full voice. In 1990 Maté Brajkovich renewed the plot at Kumeu River, replanting Chardonnay on land first acquired by his family in 1944. That revival bore fruit in 1993, just after Maté’s passing, and the first wine under that vineyard’s name appeared in late 1994. The 2024 Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay arrives from vines now more than 30 years old, and stands as one of the strongest releases yet from this flagbearer of New Zealand Chardonnay. The fruit was hand‑harvested last, under clean skies, from a low‑yield year; the grapes were pristine. Winemaking followed the estate’s signature path: whole‑bunch pressing, indigenous yeast fermentation, barrel ageing (around 30% new French oak) for 11 months, followed by full malolactic conversion.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Subdued elegance
Lifted citrus peel, white peach and pear tones with subtle vanillin oak; still closed, suggesting greater complexity to come.
PALATE
– Dense precision
Full bodied, this has concentrated yellow fruit, creamy texture and spicy oak; acidity is crisp and lemon‑sharp, weaving between richness and freshness.
FINISH
– Long resolve
A lingering mineral note, balanced oak spice and slowly fading citrus that carries tension and energy well beyond the fruit.
The Maker
The Brajkovichs are focused on and internationally recognised as producing world class Chardonnay. In 1937, the first generation of the Brajkovich family arrive in New Zealand The story of Kumeu River Wines began to unfold more than half a century ago with the first generation of the Brajkovich family to arrive in New Zealand. In their small Croatian village of Živogošće, Mick and Katé Brajkovich had also farmed small plots of land, and had experience tending vines and making their own wine. After a few years of working in the gum fields, the family moved to Henderson in West Auckland, where Mick, Katé, and son Maté worked in local vineyards and orchards. By 1944, they had saved enough money to purchase a Kumeu property with a small vineyard.
The winery was steadily growing its reputation in the industry, it was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s that saw a marked evolution in the style and direction of the winery. In 1979, the winery moved away from the hybrids used for the production of fortified and basic red and white wines to varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. All popular and commonly known varieties today, these wines were relatively unheard of at that stage, at the time it was a bold and risky maneuverer. One that eventually paid off. Fast forward to 2014, after receiving numerous accolades (including Melba Brajkovich becoming a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the wine industry and community), we arrive at Kumeu River's watershed moment - A landmark blind tasting. Kumeu River's London based distributer Stephen Browett and his company Farr Vintners organise a blind tasting with the best palates, critics and wine writers in the world. Kumeu's Maté's, Coddington, Hunting Hill and Estate Chardonnay's are placed against a range of Premier Cru and Village Burgundies from the best producers. Kumeu triumphed over top white Burgundies in every flight apart from one, where it came first equal!
Just as the Brajkovich family has grown, so too has the winery itself. Extensions and additions mark the milestones that have seen business adapt and expand over the years. Today, the winery produces around 250,000 bottles annually from 30 hectares of its own vineyards in Kumeu, and another 10 hectares from local growers. The Chardonnay wines of Kumeu River have gained a strong foothold within the international market, receiving outstanding accolades. The vineyard has gone on to become the globally recognised benchmark for non-Burgundy produced Chardonnay.
Philosophy
Kumeu River Wines is a benchmark New Zealand producer, internationally recognised for its exceptional Chardonnay and commitment to quality winemaking. Owned and operated by the Brajkovich family since 1944, the estate has built its reputation through a focus on traditional techniques, minimal intervention, and a deep understanding of site. All grapes are hand-harvested, with wild fermentation, malolactic fermentation, and extended lees ageing employed to craft wines of precision, texture, and age-worthiness.
The estate’s 30 hectares of vineyards sit on clay soils over sandstone—an ideal combination that retains water naturally, allowing dry-farming without irrigation. Vines are trained on a Lyre trellis system to maximise light exposure and fruit ripeness. This meticulous vineyard management, combined with low yields and sustainable practices, produces fruit of exceptional quality. Kumeu River’s Chardonnays consistently receive global acclaim, often outperforming top white Burgundies in blind tastings, and remain a standout example of what New World Chardonnay can achieve.
Reviews & Accolades:
“The 2024 Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay is mouth‑filling and full, easily the biggest and most powerful of the single‑vineyard Chardonnays in this 2024 release. In terms of quality, 2024 is up there with the best of them: 2022, 2020, 2014…”
Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate, 95‑97 pts
Finer Details:
Style ‒ Single‑vineyard, barrel‑aged Chardonnay
Varietal ‒ 100% Chardonnay
Country ‒ New Zealand
Region ‒ Kumeu, Auckland
Vintage ‒ 2024
Bottle Size ‒ 750ml
ABV ‒ 12.5%
Closure ‒ Screw cap
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