This is a seriously smart glass of Chardonnay. Lovely, soft texture is balanced by freshness. It’s elegant, savoury and just shy of medium bodied. Fruit is picked relatively early, and fermented and aged on lees for 18 months in 500 litre barrels. It’s left unfined and unfiltered. 

Having made wine in Wairarapa and around the world for years, Braden and Gabrielle Crosby took the plunge and bought the McCreanor Vineyard in Martinborough in 2015. Established in 1986, the 5 hectares are mainly planted with Pinot Noir, with a tiny amount of Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. The vineyard is currently in conversion to organics. Braden also continues in his role as vineyard manager at Ata Rangi.

Their name, On Giants Shoulders’, is a humble acknowledgement of Martinborough’s community of pioneering winegrowers.