2022 Good Intentions Single Vineyard Volcanic Lakes Chardonnay

WINEMAKER: Andrew Burchell
REGION: Mount Gambier, SA
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

"From our estate-owned organic vineyard on the outskirts of the township. This vineyard lies the closest to our dormant volcano, making these grapes grown on the heaviest volcanic soils in Australia. The fruit is left to hang until April to produce a medium weight Chardonnay at around 13.% alcohol. This chardonnay is not like your grandma used to drink, it has great body and texture and the use of old oak barrels make it fruit driven. The volcanic soils showcase amazing natural acidity combined with a saline quality continuing in the unique style of Mount Gambier/Berrin’s volcanic soil structure. In my opinion these soils are some of the most interesting soil profiles in Australia, volcanic ash over lava. This vineyard has taken us 6 years to get back into production and it continues to excite us."

Mount Gambier is a truly unique wine region to Australia. A young volcano by the sea, it juxtaposes cool climate limestone slopes with oceanic moderation. Andrew's property is located on the south side of one of the volcano. Erupting less than 6000 years ago it is filled with water that changes colour with the seasons. Arising from an ancient inland sea made into limestone and now receiving water from underground caves added with our generous rainfall all contributes to the abundance of water stored in underground limestone caves with pockets of flint rock spread below the nearby soils. The limestone filters the water naturally and the result is a pure water thriving with minerality. All this helps make for incredible soil complexity and their cool climate makes for perfect growing conditions and in turn beautiful, elegant and totally unique wines like no other.