Tasting Notes
A new-ish wine for Adrian Rodda from the high altitudes of the Whitlands in Victoria's Gippsland region. Typically you always see similar characters among the Rodda Chardonnay's and this is no exception. Lots of lees work and tightly wound acidity gives the wine both texture and complexity as well as focus and brightness. What separates this wine from the others is the fruit presence and persistence on the palate. Delightful wine that will cellar well for up to 10 years. - Chris L
After a decade-long tenure at Oakridge alongside Yarra vigneron, David Bicknell, Adrian Rodda upped sticks in 2010 and moved to Beechworth. This was due, in part, to the fact that he had been given access to the Smith's Vineyard - the oldest plantings of Chardonay in Beechworth. It was an opportunity too good to pass up.
Two years later, through his connections with Dave Bicknell, Adrian was able to get his hands on a small block of the fabled Willowlake Vineyard in the Yarra. The so-called 'Chardonnay Project' was born.
Using identical vinification methods, Adrian explores and expresses the distinctive terroir of each of these two wonderful sites. Then in 2017, another site became available. The Baxendale Vineyard sits 600m above sea level in the cooler region of Whitlands, and is the third single vineyard wine as seen through the lens of Adrian Rodda.
Chardonnay is clearly Adrian's passion, but he also produces some absolutely outstanding reds. His friendship with Mark Walpole of Fighting Gully, has brought Adrian the opportunity to make a brilliant Tempranillo, his first foray into Mediterranean varieties. The other red in the stable is his famous Cuvee de Chez - a Cabernet dominant Bordeaux blend from fruit off the Smith's Vineyard.
His small-batch, artisanal winemaking allows Adrian to really express the distinctive region of Beechworth, as well as showcasing the diversity of Victoria's wine regions through his Chardonnays.
| Product Type | Wine White Chardonnay |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Victoria |
| Sub Region | Whitlands |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Minimal Intervention |