Kumeu River
Family-Owned Legacy: Founded in 1944 by the Brajkovich family, Kumeu River is still entirely family-run, now into its third generation, with a deep-rooted commitment to quality and tradition.
Chardonnay Specialists: Internationally acclaimed for their Burgundian-style Chardonnays, Kumeu River focuses primarily on this variety, producing a range of site-specific cuvées that reflect their coastal terroir.
Old World Techniques, New World Innovation: Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich leads the winemaking with wild yeast ferments, barrel aging, and minimal intervention – blending European finesse with New Zealand vibrancy.
Unique Terroir: Located near Auckland, their vineyards benefit from clay-rich soils and a coastal climate moderated by the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean, resulting in wines with elegance, minerality, and natural freshness.
Kumeu River – World-Class Chardonnay from New Zealand’s Pioneers
Nestled just outside Auckland, Kumeu River is a beacon of excellence in the world of fine wine, revered globally for its exceptional Chardonnay. What began in 1944 as a modest vineyard purchased by Croatian immigrants Maté and Melba Brajkovich has evolved into one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed family-run wineries.
Kumeu River's calling card is its Burgundian-style Chardonnay: elegant, textured, and beautifully expressive of site and season. Under the thoughtful guidance of Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich, the estate champions traditional methods such as wild fermentations and aging on lees in French oak barrels. Each cuvée – from the bright, mineral Village to the profound single-vineyard bottlings like Hunting Hill and Maté’s Vineyard – reflects a deep commitment to terroir and quality.
The estate’s unique coastal climate, shaped by the surrounding Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean, delivers natural freshness and finesse, even in this relatively warm region. Non-irrigated, clay-rich soils encourage vines to root deeply, producing grapes with intense character and balanced acidity – the foundation of Kumeu’s unmistakable style.
Still firmly family-run, with every member involved from vineyard to cellar, Kumeu River combines old-world philosophy with new-world vitality. Their wines are not only a benchmark for New Zealand Chardonnay, they are a masterclass in precision, purity, and patience.
Whether you’re a Burgundy devotee or discovering Chardonnay anew, Kumeu River offers something special: wines that speak of place, passion, and a pioneering spirit over 70 years in the making.