2025 Warramate Chardonnay | 95 Point Yarra Valley Chardonnay

🏆 95 POINTS HALLIDAY | YARRA VALLEY CHARDONNAY

Yarra Yering Pedigree. 95 Points. Just $45

For $45, that's a seriously compelling bottle of Yarra Valley Chardonnay

95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

Yarra Valley, Victoria

RRP $45 a bottle

If you're looking for one of the smartest Chardonnay buys in the Yarra Valley, put Warramate firmly on your radar.

The 2025 Warramate Chardonnay brings together a historic Yarra Valley vineyard, mature vines and the winemaking talents of Sarah Crowe, the celebrated winemaker behind neighbouring Yarra Yering.

Warramate was established in 1970 at Gruyere and was purchased in 2011 by the partnership that owns adjoining Yarra Yering. Importantly, Warramate remains a separate label using its own established vineyards, with Sarah Crowe listed as winemaker.

Then there's the score:

95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

For $45, that's a seriously compelling bottle of Yarra Valley Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes

Expect a beautifully refined cool-climate Chardonnay showing:

• White peach and nectarine
• Fresh pear
• Lemon and grapefruit
• Citrus blossom
• Subtle struck-match complexity
• Toasted hazelnut
• Fine French oak
• Mineral freshness

The palate is all about purity, texture and freshness.

There's lovely concentration through the centre, but nothing feels heavy. Citrus and stone fruit are carried by bright acidity, with subtle oak and savoury complexity adding another dimension.

The finish is long, clean and beautifully composed.

This is modern Yarra Valley Chardonnay at its best.

95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

The 2025 Warramate Chardonnay has received an outstanding:

95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

That's significant when you consider just how competitive Australian Chardonnay has become. Halliday describes Chardonnay as one of the strongest categories in Australian wine, with the Yarra Valley particularly strong.

And here you have a 95-point example for just $45.

A Historic Yarra Valley Vineyard

Warramate isn't simply another Yarra Valley label buying fruit from wherever it can find it.

The vineyard was established in 1970 and today covers approximately 6.6 hectares, with Halliday highlighting its long-established site and mature vines. Chardonnay is listed as one of the estate's key varieties.

The location is particularly exciting.

Warramate sits at Gruyere, adjoining Yarra Yering, in one of the most historic and celebrated pockets of the Yarra Valley.

The previous 2024 Chardonnay showed the house style beautifully: lemon verbena, crisp pear, mineral-lemon freshness, subtle oak and texture from barrel fermentation.

The Sarah Crowe Connection

This is where Warramate becomes especially interesting.

Sarah Crowe is the winemaker.

She's also the winemaker behind Yarra Yering, and was named Halliday Wine Companion Winemaker of the Year in 2017.

That gives Warramate an extraordinary proposition: wines from a historic Yarra Valley vineyard crafted by one of Australia's most respected winemakers, but at prices dramatically below many of the region's prestige labels.

For Chardonnay lovers, that's a combination worth paying attention to.

Food Pairings

Perfect with:

• Grilled kingfish
• Roast chicken
• Lobster
• Seared scallops
• Salmon
• Crab pasta
• Mushroom risotto
• Soft cheeses

Or simply drink it on its own with a good glass and watch it evolve as it warms slightly.

Cellaring

The 2025 Warramate Chardonnay should be beautiful young, when its citrus, stone fruit and freshness are at their most vibrant.

But there's enough concentration, acidity and structure to reward medium-term cellaring.

Drink now–2033+.

Give it a little time in the glass if drinking young.

Why We Love It

The value here is difficult to ignore.

You have a historic Yarra Valley vineyard established in 1970, adjoining Yarra Yering, with the wine made by Sarah Crowe.

Then you have:

95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

RRP $45

That's a combination that makes the 2025 Warramate Chardonnay one of the most compelling Chardonnay buys in this price bracket.

It's everything we want from modern Yarra Valley Chardonnay: stone fruit, citrus, subtle oak, texture, minerality and beautiful natural freshness.

At $45, this seriously over-delivers.

If you love premium Yarra Valley Chardonnay but don't want to spend $70, $80 or $100 a bottle, buy this.

👉 95 Halliday + Yarra Valley + Yarra Yering pedigree. If you're looking for premium cool-climate Chardonnay without the premium price tag, the 2025 Warramate Chardonnay is an exceptional buy.