2024 Kumeu River, Rays Road Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
- Erin Larkin
- 92-94/100
- Jancis Robinson MW
- 17/20
Maté Brajkovich, born in Dalmatia, arrived in New Zealand in 1938. Six years later, he and his parents planted the vineyard that would become Kumeu River. The estate remains a family endeavour, blending tradition with careful innovation. Michael took over in 1982, introducing improvements that transformed the vineyard. From advanced drainage and grassed vine rows to the Lyre trellis system, his innovations elevated both the quality and character of the fruit.
The Kumeu River and Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnays are regarded as some of New Zealand’s finest. Their elegance and consistency have earned consecutive spots in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the World, cementing the estate’s reputation for excellence. While deeply rooted in local terroir, Kumeu River’s wines enjoy a global reputation, combining precise winemaking with a uniquely New Zealand expression of Chardonnay.