The Old Dairy Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed within 1–4 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roast chicken, pan-seared salmon, creamy pasta dishes
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the cool-climate Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, 'The Old Dairy' Chardonnay pays tribute to the historic dairy farming heritage of the Scotchmans Hill estate before its volcanic slopes were dedicated to premium viticulture in 1982. This wine is crafted to showcase a fresh, contemporary expression of maritime Chardonnay. Gently influenced by the cooling breezes of Port Phillip Bay, the grapes develop intense stone fruit and citrus flavors with a bright, natural acidity. The winemaking typically employs a combination of stainless steel tank fermentation to preserve primary fruit purity, alongside partial French oak maturation to introduce a delicate creaminess and structural complexity without overpowering the wine's vibrant regional character.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1982 by David and Vivienne Browne on an erstwhile dairy farm, Scotchmans Hill stands as the pioneer and quintessential benchmark estate of Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula within the Geelong wine region. Perched atop the peninsula's extinct volcanic outcrop, the vineyards benefit from fertile black basaltic clays over limestone subsoils, complemented by maritime microclimates moderated by Port Phillip Bay and the Southern Ocean. Under the stewardship of long-tenured Chief Winemaker Robin Brockett, who joined the fold in 1988, the estate champions low-intervention viticulture certified under Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Brockett's cellar philosophy prioritizes site-driven purity, native fermentations, sensitive French oak integration, and extended lees maturation. Scotchmans Hill produces distinguished cold-climate expressions, most notably its flagship Estate and Cornelius Chardonnay, tactile Pinot Gris, and estate Sauvignon Blanc, alongside celebrated regional ventures like the Henry Frost Riesling and approachable Jack & Jill tiers.
🍇 Grapes
Chardonnay
🍷 ABV
12.5-13.5%