Handpicked Highbow Hill Chardonnay 2021

In the expansive and ever-evolving world of Chardonnay, the Handpicked Highbow Hill Chardonnay manages to stand out with grace rather than theatrics. This is a wine that invites you in with poise — offering a layered story of cool climate precision, gentle oak influence, and a texture that feels both silky and invigorating. It’s the kind of Chardonnay you can appreciate on its own and marvel at with a meal.

Origins

Highbow Hill isn’t just a vineyard name — it’s a promise of hillside energy and deliberate viticulture. Perched on slopes that catch early morning light and later afternoon breezes, the vines here enjoy a long, gradual ripening cycle. That slow march toward maturity allows the grapes to develop vibrant natural acidity alongside true varietal flavor.

Cool nights and mild days create the ideal conditions for Chardonnay to express both brightness and depth. The site’s soils — a tapestry of well-drained loams and mineral-rich sublayers — lend a subtle backbone that keeps the wine balanced and focused.

The Vineyard

In the vineyard, moderation is everything. Canopies are managed to optimise airflow and gentle sun exposure, while yields are carefully controlled so that each cluster achieves concentrated flavor without excess weight. Hand harvesting is more than romantic — it’s practical here, ensuring that only the finest fruit makes it to the press.

This is Chardonnay that begins with intention: fruit picked at the peak of flavor and acidity, ready to reveal its personality in the cellar.

Winemaking

The Highbow Hill Chardonnay is crafted with a light but purposeful touch. After gentle pressing, the juice splits its time between stainless steel and French oak. Stainless steel preserves purity of fruit — think citrus zest and orchard freshness — while oak brings texture, subtle spice, and a whisper of creaminess.

Fermentation is allowed to proceed at its own pace, smoothing rough edges and encouraging complexity. A measured malolactic fermentation softens acidity just enough to add a silky richness, without dulling the wine’s liveliness.

Tasting Notes

Pour a glass and you’ll notice its pale straw color with glints of green. Aromas rise easily: lemon blossom, white peach, and fresh pear, with a gentle suggestion of toasted almond and wet stone. On the palate, vivid citrus and stone fruit flavors intertwine with a lush mid-palate weight. There’s a chalky minerality that keeps the wine crisp, while a touch of oak spice adds warmth through a long, refreshing finish.

Awards and accolades

While this wine isn’t about fanfare, it has earned its share of nods within Australia’s competitive wine scene. At the 2023 national wine shows, the 2021 single-vineyard Highbow Hill Chardonnay achieved a Silver standing (90 points) — a solid accolade that reflects its textural finesse and regional clarity among its peers.

Beyond shows, the vineyard’s Certified Sustainable status is itself a badge of honor, highlighting Handpicked’s long term commitment to environmentally sound practices that benefit soil health, biodiversity and fruit quality.

The Handpicked Highbow Hill Chardonnay speaks to what Chardonnay can be when site and craft align: expressive but never domineering; textured but never heavy; vibrant yet harmoniously composed. In a glass, you get clarity of fruit, thoughtful structure, and a seamless interplay of freshness and subtle oak influence. It’s the kind of wine that makes you stop, sip, and smile — not because it’s showy, but because it’s genuinely good.