Seresin Reserve Chardonnay 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Raupo Creek Vineyard, located in the heart of the Omaka Valley in Marlborough, is the exclusive source of the fruit for this wine. This vineyard is farmed using organic and biodynamic principles, ensuring that the land's natural biodiversity and soil health contribute to the wine’s character. The vineyard features a northwest-facing aspect, benefitting from high sunshine hours and minimal rainfall, which promote even ripening and concentrated flavors.

The clay-rich soils of Raupo Creek provide excellent water retention, allowing the vines to thrive even in periods of minimal rainfall. This terroir is ideally suited for Chardonnay, imparting richness and minerality to the wine. The careful management of yields at 5-6 tonnes per hectare ensures that the grapes achieve optimal ripeness and intensity, while the diversity of clones (15, 95, and Mendoza) adds complexity and depth to the final blend.

Winemaking

The 2022 vintage presented challenges, including significant rainfall during the harvest period, increasing disease pressure. However, the experienced vineyard team meticulously managed the vines, ensuring that only the best fruit was harvested.

Each clone was handpicked between March 19th and 27th, then whole-bunch pressed and allowed to settle overnight in tank. Following this, the wine underwent 100% wild fermentation and 100% malolactic fermentation, a testament to the hands-off approach and reliance on natural processes. The wine matured for six months in French oak, with a mix of puncheons and barriques, adding texture and subtle oak character. Before bottling, the batches were blended, filtered, and carefully balanced to achieve a seamless expression of the vintage.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale gold with brilliant clarity, reflecting its purity and freshness.
• Aroma: A vibrant bouquet of stone fruits, such as peach and nectarine, intertwined with notes of brioche and a hint of citrus zest. Subtle undertones of toasty oak and creaminess add depth.
• Palate: The palate is layered and creamy, showcasing flavors of ripe stone fruit, balanced by a zesty acidity that keeps the wine refreshing. A subtle minerality and well-integrated oak contribute to a long, elegant finish.

Did You Know?

Seresin Estate is a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in Marlborough, emphasizing sustainability and harmony with the environment. The estate is also vegan-friendly, reflecting its commitment to conscious winemaking.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Quiche Lorraine: The creamy texture and subtle oak in the wine complement the richness of the dish, while its acidity cuts through the fat.
• Poulet Vallée d’Auge: A Normandy chicken dish cooked with cream and apples pairs beautifully with the wine's stone fruit flavors and creamy palate.
• Seafood Risotto: The wine’s vibrant acidity balances the creamy risotto texture, and its minerality highlights the delicate seafood flavors.
• Comté Cheese Tart: The nutty, buttery notes of Comté harmonize with the wine’s brioche and creamy finish.

History of Seresin Estate

Seresin Estate was founded in 1992 by Michael Seresin, a New Zealand-born cinematographer known for his work in films like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. His vision for Seresin Estate was inspired by his deep connection to nature and a desire to create wines that were in harmony with the environment. From the outset, the estate embraced biodynamic and organic viticulture, pioneering these practices in the Marlborough region.

Seresin’s first vintage was released in 1996, and the estate quickly gained recognition for its elegant, expressive wines. Michael Seresin’s philosophy has always been to work with nature, not against it. The estate is now fully certified organic and follows biodynamic principles, farming without the use of synthetic chemicals and aligning vineyard work with lunar and natural cycles.

Michael Seresin’s passion for sustainability and craftsmanship is evident not only in the vineyards but also in the winemaking process, where minimal intervention allows the natural character of the grapes and terroir to shine through.

Region and Vineyards

Seresin Estate is located in Marlborough, the most famous wine region in New Zealand, known for producing world-class Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The estate’s vineyards are situated in the Wairau Valley and the Omaka Valley, where a combination of clay and gravel soils provides an ideal environment for grape growing.

Raupo Creek Vineyard in the Omaka Valley is the heart of Seresin Estate. This vineyard is farmed biodynamically and is certified organic. The clay-rich soils here contribute to the texture and depth of Seresin’s wines. The north-west facing slopes of the vineyard ensure high levels of sunshine, allowing the grapes to ripen fully while maintaining natural acidity.

Seresin also sources fruit from selected organic vineyards in the Wairau Valley, which add brightness and finesse to the wines. The region’s cool-climate conditions and varied terroir allow Seresin to produce wines that are balanced, complex, and reflective of their place of origin.

Wine Range

Seresin Estate is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, but the estate also produces other varietals, each crafted with the same attention to detail and commitment to natural winemaking.

• Sauvignon Blanc: Seresin’s Sauvignon Blancs are known for their richness, texture, and complexity, often blended with small amounts of Sémillon to add depth and aging potential. Wines like the Marama Sauvignon Blanc showcase a more nuanced, oak-aged style, while the estate’s classic Sauvignon Blanc offers vibrant acidity and tropical fruit.

• Pinot Noir: Seresin produces a range of Pinot Noirs, from the fresh and approachable Leah Pinot Noir to the more structured and complex Sun & Moon Pinot Noir. The estate’s Pinot Noirs are celebrated for their balance of red and dark fruit flavors, fine tannins, and earthy undertones.

• Chardonnay: Seresin’s Chardonnay is an elegant expression of the varietal, with a balance of ripe fruit, minerality, and subtle oak influence. The wine undergoes natural fermentation and extended lees aging for added complexity.

• Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and other varietals: Seresin also produces small quantities of aromatic whites, focusing on the purity of fruit and expression of Marlborough’s cool-climate terroir.

Did You Know?

Michael Seresin, in addition to being a successful filmmaker, is a passionate advocate for organic and biodynamic farming. His belief in working harmoniously with nature extends beyond winemaking, as the estate also grows olive oil and vegetables, further reinforcing the estate’s commitment to sustainability and holistic farming.