Halite Mangatahi Chardonnay 2025

Vineyard:

Clone 15, Chardonnay from the picturesque Biogro certified Osawa Vineyard in the Mangatahi Terraces, Hawkes Bay.

Mangatahi sits inland, on an elevated terrace of the Ngaruroro River. It’s one of the coolest subregions in Hawke’s Bay, offering a longer growing season and greater diurnal range- warm days and cool nights. 

The Osawa Vineyard, located on the Mangatahi Terraces, is planted on complex riverbed soils: predominantly alluvial gravels over clay loam. These free-draining soils help regulate vine growth and naturally limit yields- ideal for producing concentrated, expressive wines.

Winemaking:

Hand harvested and whole bunch pressed to tank where is settled overnight. It was then racked to seasoned oak and inoculated with a pied de cuve (vineyard starter). The chardonnay went through full MLF and spent 11 months in barrel on full lees with minimal lees stirring and was bottled unfined and unfiltered with a small sulphur addition.

Tasting:

Cool white peach, custard apple and a chamomile on the nose. The palate brings lemons for days, with a richness of texture and depth held across a vibrantly bright frame. There’s refined play and concentration, with real drive and energy allied with intensity. A Chardonnay with plenty of life and presence.

Only 31 cases produced.

Vegan friendly, may through a harmless deposit in bottle.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Based out of Martinborough, Halite is one of Aotearoa's smallest wine producers with a focus on organics and low intervention winemaking. These are 'salt of the earth' wines. They are framed on balance, texture, and liveliness but are most importantly yum.

Halite was established by winemaker Haidee and her partner, Ben in 2021. They had recently started a family and while enjoying motherhood, Haidee was feeling the pull back into winemaking. For Haidee, Halite forms an important connection to her identity and an outlet for creative expression.

Organics are not just about farming, it is a holistic outlook which acknowledges environmental symbiotic relationships, considerations for future generations and the community that surrounds us. With this in mind, Haidee and Ben work with grape growers who farm organically and it underpins every step of their process.