Hawke’s Bay award-winning winery, Church Road has extended its Gwen range with the introduction of a refreshing and elegant Chardonnay just in time for the warmer months.

The Gwen Chardonnay, with grapes grown in the Tutaikuri sub region of Hawke’s Bay, was hand-harvested earlier than other Church Road Chardonnays with the aim of creating a dry, and moderate alcohol wine (12.5%) that is more of a Chablis-style, a contrast to the rich and full-bodied Church Road Chardonnay.

The Chardonnay joins the Rosé and Pinot Gris in the line- up, a tribute to Florence Gwendolen (Gwen) Brown. Different to the traditional Church Road style, the Gwen range offers lighter and refreshing wines that have a lower alcohol content, making them versatile in drinking both with and without food.

“Named in honour of the wife of famous winemaker and Church Road pioneer, Tom McDonald, Gwen Chardonnay explores an elegant and refined style of winemaking. Dry and finely textured with subtle stone-fruit and floral notes with fresh acidity and a mineral edge, this Chardonnay is a sophisticated drink that will work well as an aperitif or a versatile food wine,” says Chris Scott, Church Road Chief Winemaker.

The 2020 Church Road Gwen Rosé offers refreshing acidity and a red berry palate, while the Church Road Gwen Pinot Gris 2020 is a dry, fresh and fuller palate wine with ripe orchard fruits flavours that provide a long finish.

Complete tasting notes for all the wines can be found here.

Church Road Gwen Chardonnay 2020 RRP: $25.00NZD
Church Road Gwen Rosé 2020 RRP: $25.00NZD
Church Road Gwen Pinot Gris 2020 RRP: $25.00NZD

All wines are available at leading liquor retailers and online at:
https://www.church-road.com/buy-wine/collections/gwen.html

About Church Road – One of New Zealand’s most accoladed wineries, Church Road is renowned for being the first in New Zealand to craft exceptional quality Bordeaux style red wine and pioneered the Hawke’s Bay wine industry.

Founded in 1897 on the same site that it stands today, we believe excellence stems from mastering the details and knowing when to trust your instinct. Church Road wines are meticulously crafted to achieve quality of the highest standard and use fruit from the best vineyards across New Zealand’s North Island.

Chris Scott, Church Road’s Chief Winemaker since 2005, is also one of New Zealand’s most highly acclaimed having been awarded New Zealand Winemaker of the Year by Winestate Magazine in 2013, 2016 and 2020, New Zealand International Wine Show Winemaker of the Year 2017 and Royal Easter Show Wine Awards Winemaker of the Year 2020.

Church Road is committed to sustainable practices and is accredited under the Sustainable Winegrowing New
Zealand (SWNZ) scheme. Please enjoy Church Road wines responsibly. www.churchroad.co.nz

CHURCH ROAD is a trademark of Pernod Ricard Winemakers New Zealand Limited.