Stefano Lubiana Primavera Chardonnay 2023: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Bright, Flinty & Fresh

A bright early-release Chardonnay from Stefano Lubiana’s certified organic and biodynamic Derwent Valley estate, made to show the fresher, spring-like side of Tasmanian Chardonnay. It brings flinty grapefruit, lemon sherbet, white peach, nectarine, nashi pear, lime, cashew and gentle spice, with lemon-curd softness and a fine, taut line of acidity. Polished but not heavy, this is a graceful cool-climate Chardonnay for seafood, roast chicken, creamy vegetable dishes and long lunches.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Stefano Lubiana — Tasmania’s first and only certified biodynamic vineyard
• Flinty grapefruit, lemon sherbet, white peach, nectarine, nashi pear, lime, cashew, spice and fine acidity
• 100% estate-grown Chardonnay from Stefano Lubiana’s Derwent Valley single vineyard
• Previous vintage reviews include 93 Points — Gary Walsh, The Wine Front; 92 Points — Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion 2021
• 13.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Primavera is fresh, flinty and citrus-led, with grapefruit, lemon sherbet, white peach, nectarine and gentle spice at the centre. Previous reviews also note nashi pear, lime, cashew, cinnamon spice, lemon curd and nougat softness, giving the palate a little creaminess without losing its cool-climate drive. The finish is clean, taut and mouthwatering, with a fine line of acidity and enough texture to make it more satisfying than a simple crisp white.

Winemaking

Primavera is a blend of different Chardonnay blocks from Stefano Lubiana’s Derwent Valley estate. For the 2023 release, 50% was fermented and stored in seasoned Austrian oak foeders, 11% in new and second-fill French oak barrels, and 39% in stainless steel. All lots spent time on lees, and 50% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation. The result is bright and fresh, but with enough lees, oak and creamy texture to feel complete.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit is 100% estate-grown Chardonnay from Stefano Lubiana’s single vineyard in the Derwent Valley, Tasmania. The vineyard is certified biodynamic and sits on a mix of two terroirs: grey gravelly loams over clay and red loam over gravel. The 2023 release is 13.5% ABV, dry, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL.

Why We Love It

This is the Chardonnay to choose when you want the Lubiana polish in a fresher, more immediate style. It has the citrus, stone fruit and fine acidity that make Tasmanian Chardonnay so elegant, but the seasoned oak and lees work add just enough texture. Certified organic, biodynamic and vegan suitable, it is a beautifully made white for seafood, chicken, soft cheese and thoughtful weeknight dinners.

Food Pairing

With grapefruit, white peach, lemon curd, cashew, gentle spice and taut acidity, this Chardonnay suits seafood, roast chicken, creamy sauces, mushrooms, soft cheeses and lemon-led dishes. It has enough texture for richer plates but still refreshes the palate beautifully.

Try matching this wine with →

• Chicken with tarragon, lemon and cream — Find a Recipe
• Grilled scallops with lemon butter — Find a Recipe
• Leek, ricotta and mushroom tart — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Pour it for seafood lunches, roast chicken, creamy vegetable tarts or a polished glass before dinner when you want freshness with a little quiet luxury. It is refined, energetic and very easy to come back to.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2033. Stefano Lubiana gives Primavera Chardonnay a 5–10 year cellaring window, and the acidity, lees texture and biodynamic estate fruit 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 leading biodynamic wine estates. The vineyard has been farmed biodynamically since 2010 and is recognised as Tasmania’s first and only certified biodynamic vineyard. The estate avoids synthetic treatments, additives and pesticides, working with soil regeneration, seasonal rhythms and low-intervention cellar practices to produce wines with elegance, quality and a clear sense of place.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy cool-climate Chardonnay with citrus, texture and biodynamic credentials, these are lovely bottles to explore next:

• Same producer, deeper estate Chardonnay with lemon curd, stone fruit and creamy oak — Stefano Lubiana Estate Chardonnay
• Same producer, premium Tasmanian sparkling with apple, brioche and fine mousse — Stefano Lubiana Brut Reserve
• Same producer, textural biodynamic Pinot Gris with citrus and spice — Stefano Lubiana Pinot Gris

FAQ

What does Stefano Lubiana Primavera Chardonnay 2023 taste like?

It tastes bright, fresh and cool-climate, with flinty grapefruit, lemon sherbet, white peach, nectarine, nashi pear, lime, cashew and gentle spice. The palate has lemon-curd softness and fine acidity, finishing long and mouthwatering. It is elegant rather than buttery.

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 sits around medium-bodied, with enough lees and oak texture to feel complete. The fruit is fresh and citrus-led, not sweet.

What are the oak and acidity like?

The oak is subtle and carefully integrated, with seasoned Austrian oak foeders, a small portion of new and second-fill French oak, and stainless steel all contributing to the final blend. Acidity is fine, taut and mouthwatering. The style is bright and fresh, with texture rather than heavy oak richness.

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 Primavera Chardonnay?

Serve chilled but not icy, around 9–11°C, in a generous white wine glass. A few minutes in the glass will help the white peach, lemon curd, cashew and spice notes open. No decanting is needed.

What food pairs well with this Chardonnay?

It pairs beautifully with scallops, prawns, roast chicken, creamy mushroom tart, soft cheeses, lemon butter fish and vegetable dishes with herbs. The acidity works with seafood and citrus, while the texture suits creamy sauces and pastry. For a vegetarian match, try leek, ricotta and mushroom tart.

Can this Chardonnay be cellared?

Yes, this wine can be cellared. Drink now to 2033 for a balance of bright citrus, creamy texture and developing savoury complexity. The winery gives it 5–10 years of cellaring potential.

Is Stefano Lubiana Primavera Chardonnay vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and certified biodynamic. It is a lovely choice for drinkers wanting premium Tasmanian Chardonnay in a fresher, earlier-drinking style.

Who will enjoy this Chardonnay the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy elegant Chardonnay with grapefruit, white peach, lemon curd, fine acidity and subtle oak. If you like Chardonnay, Tasmanian whites, white Burgundy-inspired styles or textured organic whites, this will suit you well. It is fresher than a big buttery Chardonnay and more layered than a simple unoaked white.

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_PCh_CV)