Cradle Valley Reserve Chardonnay 2025

Spring was met with warm weather prompting an early budburst. This set the tone for a growing season with rapid vine development and limited rainfall. We witnessed the driest May ever recorded in England and flowering was completed by late June which is usually the case on the Rathfinny Estate.

The vines benefited from a warm August and September, resulting in the perfect balance of sugar and acidity come veraison. Very low disease pressure at harvest meant a beautifully clean crop, characterised by small bunches and great concentration of flavour, with ripeness levels comparable to standout years like 2018.