Bell Hill Vineyard, Limeworks Chardonnay, Canterbury, New Zealand , 2020

Producer Profile

Bell Hill Vineyard is a boutique winery situated in the Weka Pass area of North Canterbury.

Established in 1997 by Marcel Giesen and Sherwyn Veldhuizen, the vineyard is on the site of a former limestone quarry that imparts unique characteristics to the resulting wines, which are known for their elegance, complexity, and longevity. The Pinot Noir exhibits layers of ripe red and dark fruits with fine tannins, while the Chardonnay offers flinty complexity and a tight structure that evolves beautifully with age.

Viticulture

Harvested between 27 March and 9 April 2021 at 21.6–23 Brix, the Bell Hill Chardonnay 2021 is a refined six‑barrel blend drawn from the Shelf, Roadblock and Limeworks parcels.

Winemaking

The majority of the fruit was whole‑cluster pressed (Limeworks 99 and Roadblock), with one combined parcel of Limeworks 09 and Shelf receiving a gentle crush. The wine was matured in an elegant oak mix of 17% new, 50% one‑year‑old and 33% three‑year‑old French barrels for 12 months, before being racked, blended and given a further eight months of élevage in tank. The result is a Chardonnay that captures the precision, tension and distinctive voice of the Bell Hill site.

Tasting Note

The wine opens with poised restraint and clear mineral intensity. Fresh herbs and white florals evolve towards a subtle green edge. On the palate, a savoury note deepens, supported by pure fruit that moves into citrus and lime. The gentle chalkiness adds tactile tension, carried by a clean, linear mineral line lifted with hints of Mexican orange blossom and elderflower. Youthful and tightly coiled, it promises to unfurl gracefully with more time in bottle.

Food matching

Roast chicken with tarragon and lemon, Pan‑seared scallops or turbot, Wild mushroom risotto.