Windowrie Sakura Chardonnay 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Gently oaked & modern

Windowrie Sakura Chardonnay 2024 is a polished, modern Chardonnay with a lovely balance of fruit, texture and freshness. White peach and fig sit at the heart of the wine, layered with grilled almond, flinty minerality and a gentle touch of toasty French oak. There’s enough texture to satisfy Chardonnay lovers, but the finish stays clean and refreshing rather than heavy. It’s a smart, food-friendly organic Chardonnay from the Central Ranges, offering generosity without losing its poise.

Highlights

• Certified Organic and vegan suitable
• Made by Windowrie, a long-established organic producer in New South Wales
• White peach, fig, grilled almond and flinty minerality
• From organically grown fruit in the Windowrie Homestead blocks
• Matured in French oak for added texture and complexity
• 13.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

This Chardonnay opens with aromas of white peach, fig and grilled almonds, with seasoned oak spice and a flinty mineral edge adding extra interest. On the palate it is flavourful and complex, carrying white fig and white peach through a gently creamy, textural frame. Toasty French oak and yeast complexity build depth, while a fresh line of acidity keeps the wine bright and balanced. The finish is dry, refreshing and savoury, making it a lovely option for drinkers who enjoy Chardonnay with both generosity and restraint.

Winemaking

The fruit was harvested in the cool of the early morning, between 3am and 8am, to preserve freshness and acidity. After gentle pressing, some of the juice underwent passive oxidation before cold-settling, then was racked with fluffy lees to add weight and provide yeast nutrients. Fermentation began with Burgundian yeast, and the juice was transferred to oak on the third day. Barrels were stirred weekly for three months, and the wine spent 18 months in French oak before bottling, giving it texture, savoury detail and integrated oak character.

Vineyard & Vintage

Windowrie Sakura Chardonnay 2024 is made from organically grown fruit from the Windowrie Homestead blocks in the Central Ranges of New South Wales. The region’s elevation and inland climate help Chardonnay develop ripe stonefruit flavour while still holding onto freshness. The Sakura range pays tribute to Cowra’s cherry blossom connection and captures a sense of purity and renewal. In the glass, that translates into a Chardonnay that feels bright, composed and thoughtfully made.

Why We Love It

This is the kind of Chardonnay that hits a very appealing middle ground. It has enough oak and leesy texture to keep traditional Chardonnay drinkers happy, but there’s also a freshness and mineral line that stops it from becoming too rich. The fruit is clean and expressive, the finish stays bright, and the organic credentials are a genuine bonus. It’s a very versatile bottle to have on hand when you want a white with a little more depth.

Food Pairing

This Chardonnay works beautifully with dishes that echo its mix of texture, gentle oak and freshness. Think seafood with buttery or creamy elements, roast chicken, or vegetable dishes with a savoury edge. Try matching this wine with →

• Crispy-skinned barramundi — Find a Recipe
• Roast chicken with lemon and herbs — Find a Recipe
• Pumpkin and sage risotto — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A lovely bottle for a long lunch, a relaxed dinner party or a quiet evening when you want a white with a bit more depth than your usual fridge-door Sauvignon Blanc. It suits those moments when proper glassware and a good meal are part of the pleasure.

Cellaring

Drink now for its freshness and textural charm, or cellar over the next 2 to 3 years. With time, the oak and savoury elements should knit together a little more, bringing a rounder, nuttier profile. Serve lightly chilled, around 10–12°C.

Producer

Windowrie is a family-owned New South Wales producer with a long-standing commitment to organic winegrowing. Founded by David O’Dea and now managed by the O’Dea family, the estate farms more than 150 hectares of certified organic vineyards. The winery is based in Canowindra in the Central Ranges, where the combination of inland sunshine and cool nights helps produce expressive, balanced fruit. Anthony D’Onise, a fourth-generation winemaker, has led viticulture and winemaking at Windowrie since 2010. The Sakura range is made from fruit grown in the estate’s Homestead blocks and pays homage to Cowra’s celebrated cherry blossom heritage, tying local history to the winery’s thoughtful, modern style.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this style of Chardonnay, these are three other organic or preservative-free options worth exploring.

• Fresh and creamy preservative-free Chardonnay — Temple Bruer Preservative Free Chardonnay
• Bright, clean Central Ranges Chardonnay with no added preservatives — Tamburlaine Preservative Free Chardonnay
• Riper, softly textured McLaren Vale Chardonnay with subtle oak — Angove Wild Olive Organic McLaren Vale Chardonnay

FAQ

What does Windowrie Sakura Chardonnay 2024 taste like?

It shows white peach, fig and grilled almond, with a gentle flinty edge and subtle toasty oak. The palate is textural and refreshing, giving you flavour and complexity without becoming heavy.

Is Windowrie Sakura Chardonnay dry or sweet?

This is a dry Chardonnay. The ripe fruit gives it a rounded impression, but the finish is clean, savoury and firmly dry.

How full-bodied is this wine?

It sits in the medium-bodied zone. There’s enough texture and oak influence to give it presence, but it still keeps a fresh, modern shape.

Does this Chardonnay have much oak?

Yes, but it’s measured rather than dominant. The French oak adds toasty, nutty complexity and texture, supporting the fruit rather than overpowering it.

What temperature should I serve it at, and what glass should I use?

Serve it lightly chilled, around 10–12°C. A medium to larger white wine glass is ideal, as it gives the aromas and texture room to open up properly.

Does Windowrie Sakura Chardonnay 2024 need decanting?

It doesn’t need full decanting, but letting it sit in the glass for a few minutes helps. As it warms slightly, the peach, fig and almond notes become more expressive.

Can I cellar this wine?

Yes, over the short term. It should drink well now and over the next 2 to 3 years, with the fruit and oak settling into a slightly more savoury, rounded style.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

It contains sulphites, as stated on the label. It is not a No Added Preservative wine, but as a certified organic wine it is made under stricter standards than conventional production.

Is this wine vegan friendly?

Yes, it is vegan suitable. That makes it a handy choice when you want an organic Chardonnay that also fits vegan preferences.

What food goes well with this Chardonnay?

Seafood, roast chicken and savoury vegetarian dishes are all strong matches. Try it with barramundi, chicken with buttery or lemony elements, or pumpkin risotto with herbs and parmesan-style flavours.

Who will love this wine most?

This will suit drinkers who like Chardonnay with some texture and oak, but who still want freshness and balance. If you enjoy modern Chardonnay styles that sit between lean and buttery, this is a very good fit.

(SKU: SK_CHA_CV)