Kumeu River
Kumeu River
AboutKumeu River
Kumeu River grew from the Brajkovich family’s move from Croatia to New Zealand in 1937 and their purchase, seven years later, of a small Kumeu vineyard and winery then called San Marino. The estate adopted the Kumeu River name in 1986 as the next generation turned decisively toward dry table wine and Burgundy-informed Chardonnay.
The Kumeu vineyards are hand harvested and use the lyre trellis system, with clay-rich soils over sandstone and a moderating coastal climate. Chardonnay is made from fruit grown in Kumeu and Hawke’s Bay, with Village, Estate and single-vineyard wines in the range. Chardonnay winemaking draws on indigenous yeasts, lees ageing and malolactic fermentation.
Kumeu River 2025 Village Chardonnay
New Zealand White
$41.99
Lively lime and lemon aromas meet flinty mineral character, fig and white peach. The mid-palate is weighty, with peach ripeness and crisp mineral acidity. One quarter was fermented in old French oak barriques and three quarters in stainless steel, leaving little oak influence. The wine was made from Chardonnay grown in Auckland and bottled under screw cap.
Kumeu River 2025 Village Pinot Noir
New Zealand Red
$41.99
Lifted red fruit aromas accompany a cool, round and fruity palate with chalky tannin and a dry, refreshing finish. The Pinot Noir comes from Rays Road in Hawke’s Bay, where wind-blown clay loess lies over limestone. Grapes were hand harvested, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation used indigenous yeasts, total cuvaison lasted two weeks, and maturation took place for seven months in tank.