From Tumbarumba – one of Australia’s most exciting, cool-climate, high-altitude, viticultural districts to the distinctive, contemporary and expressive Adelaide Hills Chardonnay persona in Reserve Bin A – Australian chardonnay makes a wide variety of wine styles, something for all palates.
The Penfolds white wine story dates as far back as 1890 when Penfolds founder Mary Penfold was awarded a trophy in recognition of her pioneering white wines. The chardonnay story however, really took off in the 1980s, when a new chapter of winemaking saw a series of experiments lead to the introduction of Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay (named for the 144 winemaking trials required to perfect the Penfolds flagship white wine).
What was arguably the most eagerly anticipated white wine release in Australian history, the first vintage of Yattarna was described by the late Len Evans, as “a revelation” and “a step forward for Australian chardonnay”.
The ‘premium white’ project, which was dubbed the ‘white Grange’ project by the media, provided considerable learnings to the white winemaking team. Not only were new white wines developed, such as Reserve Bin A Chardonnay, but our entire stable of white wines saw an uplift in quality.
Further pursuits of excellence resulted in the first vintage of Bin 311 Chardonnay in 2005. Today, Bin 311 sits as a true reflection of the winemakers’ mantra ‘we always go where the fruit grows best, and where it best suits style’.