Description
A cool, dry sector of southern Tasmania frames Tolpuddle Vineyard 2022 Coal River Valley Chardonnay, a 100 percent Chardonnay from a single estate site near Richmond in the Coal River Valley. Planted in 1988 to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the vineyard was acquired in 2011 by Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW, who developed it as a two-wine project focused on one property. The 31-hectare site sits on a gently sloping north-east-facing position, with light silica over sandstone, moderate vine vigour, and mature vines trained on Guyot VSP at roughly 132 to 198 feet of elevation. Vineyard work relies heavily on hand labor and close adjustment to the demands of each season. For the 2022 Chardonnay, fruit was hand picked and whole-bunch pressed before fermentation in French oak, followed by nine months in 228- to 500-litre barrels with gentle stirring as required, then further time on lees in tank. The method reflects Tolpuddle Vineyard’s emphasis on restrained, site-led Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.