Kumeu River Wines

Kumeu River Wines is a family-owned winery that has earned global acclaim for its exceptional wines, particularly its world-renowned Chardonnay. Founded by Maté Brajkovich, the winery’s legacy has been carefully nurtured by the Brajkovich family, including renowned winemaker Michael Brajkovich, New Zealand’s first Master of Wine. With a focus on producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of their vineyards, Kumeu River has earned its place among the world’s finest wineries, recently being recognized in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ Top 100 Premium Wine & Spirits of the World for 2024.

At the heart of Kumeu River’s success is its dedication to producing world-class Chardonnay. The winery’s single-vineyard offerings, such as Coddington, Hunting Hill, and Maté’s Vineyard, showcase the winery’s commitment to excellence. Kumeu River employs innovative techniques, such as the “Lyre” trellis system, to optimize grape maturity, ensuring that each bottle expresses the unique characteristics of the clay-rich soils that define their vineyards.

Sustainability is a core value at Kumeu River, with environmentally conscious practices embedded in every step of their winemaking process. By participating in the New Zealand Winegrowers Sustainability program, Kumeu River reduces its environmental impact, from efficient water retention in the clay soils to minimizing the need for irrigation.

The winery has garnered prestigious accolades from wine critics and enthusiasts worldwide. Recognized by Wine Spectator and named the 2020 Wine of the Year by James Suckling, Kumeu River continues to gain recognition from figures such as Jancis Robinson and Lisa Perrotti-Brown. This growing recognition supports the winery’s expansion into new global markets, making Kumeu River Wines a true ambassador for New Zealand’s exceptional wine industry.

With loyalty towards craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovation, Kumeu River Wines remains at the forefront of the global wine industry.