Stefano Lubiana Estate Chardonnay 2022: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Layered & mineral

A beautifully balanced cool-climate Chardonnay from Stefano Lubiana’s certified organic and biodynamic estate vineyards in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley. This is the layered, more complex expression in the Lubiana Chardonnay line-up, bringing fruit, oak, acid, creamy texture and savoury detail together without any one element taking over. Expect grapefruit pith, lemon curd, cut pear, stone fruit, subtle spice, creamy texture, fine oak and a long mineral finish.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Stefano Lubiana — Tasmania’s first and only certified biodynamic vineyard
• Grapefruit pith, lemon curd, cut pear, stone fruit, subtle spice, creamy texture and mineral acidity
• 100% estate-grown Chardonnay from Stefano Lubiana’s Derwent Valley vineyard
• 95 Points — Mike Bennie, The Wine Front for the 2021 vintage; 95 Points — Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion for the 2018 vintage notes shown on Organic Wine
• 13.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

This is a composed, layered Chardonnay with grapefruit pith, lemon curd, cut pear and stone fruit wrapped in subtle spice, creamy texture and fine oak. The palate is dry, powerful and beautifully balanced, with fruit, oak, acidity and complexity moving together rather than competing. A firm citrus backbone and mineral line keep the finish long, fresh and cellar-worthy.

Winemaking

The 2022 Estate Chardonnay is 100% Derwent Valley estate-grown Chardonnay from Stefano Lubiana’s single vineyard. The wine is made to show the most layered and complex side of the estate Chardonnay program, with fruit, oak, acid and creamy texture all in balance. The style is robust but controlled: cool-climate fruit richness, savoury oak influence, creamy texture and natural acidity held together with precision.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from Stefano Lubiana’s certified biodynamic Derwent Valley estate vineyard in Southern Tasmania. The vineyard soils are a mix of grey gravelly loam over clay and red loam over gravel, contributing both structure and mineral detail. The 2022 release is 13.0% ABV, dry, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar, less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL and a suggested cellaring window of 6+ years.

Why We Love It

This is Chardonnay for drinkers who love texture and restraint in the same glass. It has the creamy, layered feel that makes Chardonnay satisfying, but the Tasmanian acidity and mineral line keep it elegant. Certified organic, biodynamic and vegan suitable, it is a thoughtful bottle for roast chicken, rich seafood, mushroom dishes or a special dinner where the white wine needs to carry real presence.

Food Pairing

With lemon curd, stone fruit, creamy texture, fine oak and mineral acidity, this Chardonnay suits richer seafood, white meats, pastry, mushrooms and creamy vegetarian dishes. It has the weight for roast chicken and the freshness for scallops, lobster and citrus-led sauces.

Try matching this wine with →

• Roast chicken with lemon, thyme and garlic — Find a Recipe
• Scallops with cauliflower purée or brown butter — Find a Recipe
• Mushroom, leek and gruyère tart — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Pour it for elegant dinners, roast chicken, richer seafood, autumn lunches or a quiet celebratory bottle when you want Chardonnay with depth and polish. It is serious, textured and deeply satisfying without feeling overblown.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2030. The winery gives this wine 6+ years of cellaring potential, and the citrus backbone, acidity, oak integration and estate fruit concentration should support graceful development. Store it somewhere cool, dark and stable.

Producer

Stefano Lubiana is based in Granton in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley, where Steve and Monique Lubiana have built one of Australia’s benchmark cool-climate biodynamic wine estates. The vineyard has been farmed biodynamically since 2010 and is Tasmania’s first and only certified biodynamic vineyard. The estate avoids synthetic treatments, additives and pesticides, working instead with soil regeneration, seasonal rhythms and low-intervention practices to produce wines with elegance, quality and a strong sense of place.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy premium organic Chardonnay with texture, acidity and cool-climate finesse, these are lovely bottles to explore next:

• Same producer, current estate Chardonnay release with citrus, hazelnut and mineral drive — Stefano Lubiana Estate Chardonnay
• Same producer, softer Chardonnay expression with lemon and salted cashew — Stefano Lubiana Primavera Chardonnay
• Same producer, premium Tasmanian sparkling with apple, brioche and fine mousse — Stefano Lubiana Brut Reserve

FAQ

What does Stefano Lubiana Estate Chardonnay 2022 taste like?

It tastes layered, creamy and cool-climate fresh, with grapefruit pith, lemon curd, cut pear, stone fruit, subtle spice and mineral acidity. Oak and texture are present, but they sit in balance with the fruit and acidity. The finish is long, citrus-driven and elegant.

Is this Chardonnay dry, sweet or full-bodied?

This is a dry white wine, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It is medium to full-bodied for Chardonnay, with creamy texture and good palate weight. The fruit is ripe and layered, but the wine is not sweet.

What are the oak and acidity like?

The oak is present and well integrated, adding texture and complexity rather than obvious vanilla sweetness. Acidity is strong and citrus-led, giving the wine its freshness, line and cellaring potential. The balance is what makes the wine feel polished rather than heavy.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This is a certified organic and certified biodynamic Chardonnay, not a No Added Preservative wine. It may contain sulphites, as most wines do, and organic/biodynamic wines are made to lower allowable sulphur limits than conventional wines. It is vegan suitable.

How should I serve Stefano Lubiana Estate Chardonnay?

Serve chilled but not icy, around 10–12°C, in a generous white wine glass. A little air helps the lemon curd, pear, stone fruit and creamy oak detail open. No decanting is required, but 10 minutes in the glass is worthwhile.

What food pairs well with this Chardonnay?

It pairs beautifully with roast chicken, scallops, lobster, grilled fish, creamy mushroom dishes, leek tart and soft cheeses. The creamy texture suits richer food, while the citrus acidity keeps the palate fresh. For a vegetarian match, try mushroom, leek and gruyère tart.

Can this Chardonnay be cellared?

Yes, this wine can be cellared. Drink now to 2030 for a balance of freshness, texture and developing savoury complexity. The winery gives it 6+ years of cellaring potential, supported by its acidity, oak integration and estate-grown fruit depth.

Is Stefano Lubiana Estate Chardonnay vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and certified biodynamic. It is a strong choice for drinkers wanting premium Tasmanian Chardonnay with serious farming credentials.

Who will enjoy this Chardonnay the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy layered, elegant Chardonnay with citrus, pear, stone fruit, creamy texture and fine oak. If you like Chardonnay, white Burgundy-inspired styles or premium Tasmanian whites, this will suit you well. It is richer than a crisp unoaked white, but fresher than a big buttery Chardonnay.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, this is a dry, low-sugar white wine with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It can suit many keto-conscious drinkers looking for a premium organic Chardonnay. Alcohol still contributes calories, so enjoy it mindfully as part of your broader plan.

(SKU: SL_ECh_22)