Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay

Church Road’s label celebrating the life of wine legend Tom McDonald – in some circles nicknamed the “Father of red wine in New Zealand”.

Tom was a spotty faced teenager in 1921 when his career in wine kicked off. Over the next 55 years he turned winemaking in Hawke’s Bay on its head, scooping many accolades for his complex Chardonnay and Bordeaux style reds. You don’t get awarded the Order of the British Empire for nothing you know!

In tune with Tom’s passion for French winemaking this Chardonnay has had the bells and whistles treatment from today’s Church Road winemaking squad. We’re talking hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and wild fermentation in French oak. An elegant style that doesn’t go over board with the use of oak – a style of Chardonnay that makes a damn fine food wine.

Kiwi critic Michael Cooper calls this “Typically a great buy, with greater richness and complexity than most $25 Chardonnays” – he ain’t wrong! And for the second year running it’s won Gold at the NZ International Wine Show 2025 – it took out a Double Gold meaning every senior judge awarded it a Gold medal score!

Try seafood like scallops, crayfish and oily salmon. Don’t be afraid to include some creamy, buttery sauces in there too!