Drop of the Day - Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Chardonnay 2018

This fresh, fruit driven acidic and creamy chardonnay from Smith & Sheth pairs beautifully with our Spaghetti with Prawns, Chorizo, Lemon and Chilli.

This article was created in partnership with Smith & Sheth

Today's Drop of the Day is from a warm and relatively dry growing season, Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Chardonnay 2018 is fresh and fruit driven, almost Chablis-like in style. The straw coloured Chard has vibrant acidity balanced by a creamy, lingering texture. We'd pair it with a zesty and warm bowl of Spaghetti with Prawns, Chorizo, Lemon and Chilli.

The grapes in this wine come from two vineyards, 20-year-old Clone 15 and 95 vines that are dry farmed on a silty loam over gravel with some limestone influence. And old Mendoza vines grown on river terrace soil, light loam over gravel. Both vineyards are run to SWNZ standards with a nil residue spray programme. It's 100% hand harvested and whole bunch pressed and then fermented in a blend of new and aged French oak barriques. The wine, among all its other charachteristics, is vegan friendly.

Steve Smith MW and Brian Sheth share a love for the same things: fine wine, Aotearoa New Zealand and enjoying life’s pleasures. They met in Hawke’s Bay over a glass of Chardonnay and in 2014 realised their vision of founding a wine dream together. That dream was to craft impeccable wines from vineyards of exceptional quality and to create experiences where they could share these wines with like-minded people. From there, Smith & Sheth was born and is one of Hawke’s Bay’s newest wine companies.  

Steve Smith MW has a formidable reputation in the wine industry: renowned for establishing Craggy Range in Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough, he is also one of few qualified Master of Wines to be based in New Zealand. Brian Sheth, from Austin Texas, is an investor and wildlife conservationist, with a strong affiliation and love for New Zealand.

They have a Cellar Door, Wine Lounge and tasting Studio in the heart of Havelock North. The Heretaunga Chardonnay is one of 9 wines in their portfolio (3 are chardonnay). 

Smith & Sheth
smithandsheth.com