Freedom Chardonnay

The Freedom Chardonnay is made from the first vines we planted at Rosnay: Chardonnay, planted in September 1997, and which have been grown organically and biodynamically since they were planted. Chardonnay is the most well known, “flagship” variety of the Cowra wine region, and since 2013 we have been making it without sulfites.

The grapes are early harvested when still a bit green, and gently pressed to maximise their natural acidity and stonefruit flavours. They are then gently pressed in a small air-bag press, and traditionally cold settled, racked, and fermented slowly at low temperature (15-17degrees C) using commercial yeast guaranteed not to produce any sulfites.

Unlike most Australian, sulfited whites, we encourage the wine to go through natural malolactic (bacterial) fermentation before bottling, so that the finished wine is stable with no sulfites added. The result is a more “old world” style with a creamy acidity and a slight butteriness, rather than a hard acid line of “new world” whites. The wine is then stabilised and filtered prior to hand bottling in our winery.

This is a wine that will develop and age faster than most white wines. Whilst this is not itself a bad thing, we suggest drinking this wine young and once opened, finish it or vacuum seal it for up to one day.

Vintage: 2021
Sulfites: Zero
Alcohol: 12.9%
Vintage: 2021
Production: 300 doz
Bottled: June 2021
Blend: Chardonnay 100%
Sulfites: Zero
Yeast: sulfite-free commercial
Maturation: Matured in tank
Fining: Yes (bentonite)
Filtration: Yes
Label art: Florence Statham
Winemaker: Sam Statham