Landaire's David and Carolyn Brown have been growing grapes on their home block in Padthaway since 1997. In 2012 they decided to start producing their own wine. A decade on, Landaire has taken home the 2024 Chardonnay of the Year and the 2024 White Wine of the Year at the Halliday Wine Companion Awards for its 2021 Landaire Chardonnay.
Chief editor Campbell Mattinson highlighted notes of toast, grilled white peach and lemon curd. "Wow, this is serious business. Indeed the word glorious immediately springs to mind...Jumps straight out of the box and once it's out, there's no stopping it."
In 2017 David and Carolyn purchased the historic Padthaway Estate, an iconic property that was built in 1847, and began its restoration. The Landaire at Padthaway Estate cellar door is located in the Old Stables. Visitors can wander the gardens, take in the lush vineyards and taste chardonnay, pinot gris, vermentino, rosé, sparkling wines, tempranillo, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and more.
Padthaway Estate is also home to Eliza sparkling wines. In honour of the property's history and its original owners, Robert and Eliza Lawson, Landaire continue to produce the Padthaway Estate Eliza Sparkling. The Eliza Sparkling is produced using the Coquard basket press – one of only two in the southern hemisphere.
The name Landaire comes from the connection to the 'land' and 'air'. Behind the current release of Landaire wines are four highly regarded and recognised winemakers who have brought their expertise to the elegant wines. Each wine is crafted from carefully selected parcels of grapes and is a reflection of the quality of the grapes, the care taken in the vineyard and winery, and of the Padthaway region and terroir.
David and Carolyn say over the years they've spent countless hours in the pursuit of producing the best possible chardonnay. The vines are now more than 20 years old. The grapes are hand-picked in the cool of the morning from two different French clones and from very specific sites in the block.
"Padthaway has historically been recognised for the quality of both its chardonnay and shiraz," says Carolyn. "The cool nights following the warm days during ripening help contribute to the flavour and acid balance. We've kept tweaking what we are doing and the combination of these small changes, the growing season and the winemaking have all made this a lovely wine."
Carolyn says Padthaway is a region of consistency, which allows the team to grow a range of varietals (they currently have 13 different varieties, which each have a range of clones). "The different growth habits and flavour profiles keep things interesting."
She says when it comes to winning two of the coveted varietal awards they're thrilled. "It all feels a bit surreal and we are over the moon – we love what we do and our wines."
As for what's next for Landaire, Carolyn says it won't be long before vintage prep gets underway. "We will continue to work hard to grow the best fruit we can, to produce wines of elegance and depth and to have a few laughs along the way."
2021 Landaire Chardonnay
Wonderfully classic. Vibrant, bright and full of youthful energy. The bouquet has figs, toasted nuts and oyster shell brininess. The palate is star-bright, dry with refreshing grapefruit and just-ripe nectarine characters. There’s some texture from the 30 per cent new French oak used in fermentation and maturation. Vintage 2021 weather conditions allowed for slow and even ripening and grapes with great acidity. Ready to enjoy now or cellar for up to a decade. RRP $37.Food pairing suggestion: The 2021 is perfect with oysters and your favourite seafood.
For more information and to shop Landaire wines visit padthawayestate.com.au.
