We’ve seen how well Chardonnay performs on the Moutere clay soils of Nelson, and this is no exception. Mark and Sophie from Abel have chosen to let the purity of this place shine through. It’s linear, fresh, and citrus led with nutty complexity. Fruit from the estate’s close planted vineyard is wild yeast fermented, with full malolactic fermentation, and aging in large format oak. 

From 30 hectares on the clay soils of the Upper Moutere in Nelson, Mark and Sophie McGill produce outstanding Chardonnay and cider, as well as farming Wiltshire sheep. No strangers to the world of wine, Sophie is the daughter of James and Wendy Healy who started Dog Point, and Mark is the son of viticulturalist Linton McGill. Abel is the outcome of their background and depth of experience in the wine industry, as well as the unique part of the world they farm from.