The Hoddles Creek Estate 1er Chardonnay 2024 is the result of decades of observation and refinement. Winemaker Franco D’Anna has long believed that certain blocks in his Upper Yarra vineyards consistently outperform others. After years of meticulous study, he selected the Top Paddock—a windswept, easterly facing crest 50 metres higher in elevation than the estate’s main Chardonnay block—as the source for this small-production release.
Originally planted entirely to Pinot Noir, this block was grafted in 2003 to three of Burgundy’s finest Bernard clones – 95, 96, and 277. The shallow, low-fertility soils on the hilltop force the vines to dig deep, naturally restricting yields to around one tonne per acre. The result is fruit of exceptional intensity, concentration, and mineral depth.
In the winery, the fruit was hand-picked in the early morning, chilled to 2°C for 12 hours, and gently destemmed (not crushed) before pressing to tank. The juice was settled naturally for seven days—no enzyme or acid additions—then fermented to dryness with a mix of cultured and wild yeasts. The wine spent 12 months in cask with occasional bâtonnage and was bottled unfined, unfiltered, and unstabilised, ensuring complete expression of site and season.
Tasting Note
Rich in colour and equally rich in flavour, this release of Hoddles Creek 1er delivers energy and depth in equal measure. Aromas of grilled peach, vanilla cream, pine, cedar, and nectarine are lifted by a subtle mineral freshness. The palate is textural yet vibrant, combining ripe fruit generosity with a savoury, saline edge. The finish is long, plush, and deeply satisfying—a complete and finely tuned modern Yarra Chardonnay.
Small-Batch Detail
-
Region: Upper Yarra Valley, Victoria
-
Vineyard: Top Paddock (50m higher than estate Chardonnay block)
-
Aspect: Easterly facing
-
Clones: Bernard 95, 96 & 277
-
Soil: Poor, shallow hilltop soils
-
Yield: ~1 tonne per acre
-
Fermentation: Wild & cultured yeasts; no enzyme or acid additions
-
Maturation: 12 months in cask, occasional bâtonnage
-
Bottling: Unfined, unfiltered, unstabilised
-
Cellaring: Drink 2025–2035
Expert Review
⭐ 95+ Points – Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
“Rich in colour and rich in flavour. This release of Hoddles Creek 1er delivers the goods. Grilled peach, vanilla-cream, pine, cedar, Pez, nectarine and an array of ozone-infused, fragrant-but-integrated herbs. Textural and energetic but characterised by its rich, plush flavour. The finish itself is the final confirmation; the wine sings both full and long.”
Fine Pinot Note
A stunning debut for Hoddles Creek’s single-block Chardonnay—dense yet finely detailed, plush yet balanced. The 2024 1er Chardonnay redefines what cool-climate Yarra fruit can achieve when site, clone, and craftsmanship align.
Hoddles Creek Estate
Hoddles Creek Estate was established in 1997 when the D'Anna family decided to establish a vineyard on the property that has been in the family since 1960. The vineyard sits astride Gembrook road and adjacent Hoddles Creek. Its steeply sloping blocks prohibit mechanical harvesting, with both vineyards being hand pruned and harvested. All our wines, which are single vineyard, estate grown, are made in our 300 tonne winery, constructed for the 2003 vintage. The split-level winery has a barrel store located three meters underground. Hoddles Creek Estate is planted with 10ha of pinot noir (five clones), 6 ha of chardonnay, 1ha each of sauvignon blanc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon, and 1.5ha of pinot gris.
