2024 Yering Station Village Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

Yering Station Village Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley brings together history, precision winemaking, and cool-climate elegance in one tidy bottle. As Victoria’s first vineyard, established in 1838, Yering Station is a cornerstone of Australian wine history. But don’t let its age fool you—this estate is firmly forward-looking, especially under the stewardship of winemaker Brendan Hawker, who crafts wines that blend regional typicity with finesse and approachability.

The Village range is all about balance and drinkability, and this Chardonnay captures that with ease. It’s sourced from vineyards across the Yarra’s upper and lower sites, giving both ripeness and zippy acidity. The fruit is whole-bunch pressed and fermented in French oak (a mix of new and seasoned barrels), with partial malolactic fermentation and extended lees contact to build complexity and texture without losing freshness.

What you get in the glass is classic modern Yarra Valley Chardonnay—white peach, nectarine and citrus zest, supported by creamy nougat, toasted cashew and just a whisper of flint. It’s refined but relaxed, with a clean acid line and gentle oak spice rounding out the palate.

As for food, this is a winner with roast chicken, grilled scallops, or creamy seafood pasta. It also works a treat with veggie dishes like pumpkin risotto or roasted cauliflower with tahini. Elegant enough to impress, versatile enough for midweek meals.