2025 Willow Lake Chardonnay
Willow Lake Vineyard is located at Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra, with vines planted between 1979 and 1982, making it one of the oldest sites in the sub-region. Gladysdale sits at the southern end of the valley where surrounding forests create a mesoclimate that contributes to the supple structure and rich aromatics characteristic of the area.
The vineyard is situated at 300 metres elevation on slightly north-facing slopes, composed of volcanic basalt-derived soils that encourage deep root development. Viticulturist Tim Wray has been at Willow Lake since 1996, and focuses on ecosystem balance to produce strong and healthy vines for high quality grapes.
- Willow Lake, Gladysdale: vines planted 1979 to 1982, among the oldest in the Upper Yarra.
- 300 m, on slightly north-facing slopes of basalt-derived soil, tended by viticulturist Tim Wray since 1996.
- Barrique fermented (30% new), ten months in barrel; the forest mesoclimate gives supple structure and rich aromatics.
- Region
- Yarra Valley
- Vineyard
- Willow Lake, Gladysdale, Upper Yarra; planted 1979-1982; 300 metres; slightly north-facing; volcanic basalt-derived soils; viticulturist Tim Wray
- Variety composition
- 100% Chardonnay
- Closure
- Stelvin
- Abv
- 13.5%
- Case configuration
- 6 x 750ml
- Bottle barcode (EAN-13)
- 0726436177054
- Case barcode (GTIN-14)
- 10726436177051
- Case dimensions (L×W×H)
- 53 x 31 x 10 cm
- Filled case weight
- 7.68 kg
- Empty bottle weight
- 580 g
- Cases per layer
- 8
- Layers per pallet
- 12
- Cases per pallet
- 96
Winemaking
Hand harvested into 15kg baskets, whole-cluster crushed and drained to tank for settling. Primary fermentation in barrique (30% new) over three weeks, full malolactic. Weekly lees stirring until MLF complete. Aged ten months in barrique.
Tasting Notes
Pale gold. Lime sorbet, fresh citrus peel and white peach, with roasted hazelnut. The palate is bright yet textured, its supple frame driven by taut acidity, with balanced fruit, soft richness and gentle nutty oak. Rich in aromatics from the old Upper Yarra vines, finishing clean and persistent.
Distributed in Australia by Principal Wine.