2021 Chardonnay “Daddy Longlegs”

2021 Daddy Longlegs – Fig, lime and apricot aromatics lead to a warm butterscotch and mineral-derived palate showing great texture drive and poise.

The wine: The most planted white grape in the world, this versatile fruit makes it a firm favourite amongst New Zealand wine. Our Quails’ Run Chardonnay is full of creamy butterscotch, apricot and lime aromatics followed by a warm rich citrus-driven palate with a crisp mineral drive and persistence.

The story: We started planting our white wines, (Pinot Gris, Jessica Sauvignon Gris and Quails’ Run Chardonnay), in our Wānaka vineyard in 2014 – a year after our Pinot Noir grapes got started, because we wanted them to be ready at the same time. While Jackie was tending to the vines she noticed an uncanny amount of Daddy Longlegs spiders roaming the vineyard, inspiring this year’s name.

When it comes to harvest time in early April, we rope in family and friends (and feed them lunch!). It’s an intense week of hand-picking all of our grapes. Our Chardonnay is then ready nine months from harvest after maturing in French oak barrels.

The winemaker: Our Chardonnay winemaker is Central Otago legend Dean Shaw. Dean has been making wine with grapes from more than a dozen different vineyards for 18 years, which probably makes him one of the most experienced winemakers in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes areas. He started his education in New Zealand before travelling to France where he studied winemaking in Burgundy, Austria and South Africa, and has worked with a number of Central Otago and Queenstown wineries.

The ideal pairing: Our citrus-driven Chardonnay pairs well with seafood of all varieties.