2024 Provenance Golden Plains Chardonnay, Geelong

From vineyards on Geelong’s inland Golden Plains, this Chardonnay shows a slightly warmer, more generous expression of the region while still carrying cool climate structure. The area’s rolling basalt soils and open exposures build ripe stone fruit character, yet the maritime influence that defines Geelong preserves acidity and line. Provenance treats the Golden Plains release as a site expression wine, aiming to capture both breadth and freshness in balance.

Winemaking is shaped around texture and integration. Gentle pressing and lees work add creaminess through the middle, while restrained oak provides structure without masking fruit. The style sits between richness and precision, giving the wine approachability without losing regional identity.

Pale gold in colour, the aromas open with ripe peach, nectarine and lemon curd, followed by cashew and a soft flinty note. The palate is medium bodied and rounded, with stone fruit wrapped in bright acidity and a creamy mid palate. Flavours of citrus and peach carry into a long, clean finish with a faint mineral edge.

It pairs beautifully with roast chicken, pork, grilled seafood and creamy pasta dishes. Drinking impressively now, it will hold comfortably for six to eight years, developing nutty complexity while retaining freshness.

This is Geelong Chardonnay with a touch more breadth, generous yet balanced, coastal energy wrapped in Golden Plains warmth.