Grapes into wine: Making Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the world's most-loved white grape, with part of its charm being its openness to interpretation. So what are the options when it comes to growing it and turning it into wine?

It is the most widely planted grape across the planet's wine regions, and is responsible for the world's most sought-after and expensive whites.

It's also versatile; it can grow in cool, moderate and warm regions. It's malleable, shifting shape and flavour when subject to various cellar techniques.

And, especially in cool climates, it is capable of expressing the personality of the specific site where it grows.

I visited a vineyard in Main Ridge on the Mornington Peninsula on the last day of March 2023.

Join me as I follow the fruit as it's snipped from the vine and passed from buckets to bins to winery to press to barrel to cellar.

I endeavour to explain in plain English and fine detail the decisions made and actions taken to turn these golden Chardonnay berries into a top-quality, single-vineyard wine by Will Byron of Onannon.