“It’s closer to our vision of purity than anything we’ve made before”
Our commitment to crafting extraordinary wines reaches new heights with the release of The Apex Twin Chardonnay 2022. This single-barrel release represents the pinnacle of our winemaking philosophy: capturing the essence of the land, the precision of craftsmanship, and the purity of expression.
The Apex Twin Chardonnay 2022 is the result of perfect ripening conditions, meticulous selection, and unrivaled expertise. Sourced from the distinguished Funder & Diamond Vineyard in the Upper Yarra Valley, this wine celebrates the unique character of a single block of vines that has consistently delivered exceptional fruit. Veteran Chief Winemaker David Bicknell describes The Apex Twin as a “beguiling seduction of the senses” — a wine that evolves in the glass, offering layers of intrigue and complexity.
Bicknell elaborates: “The Apex Twin is the outcome of trial, error and refinement over many years; crafted with different techniques and represents something completely distinct from what we’ve done before. It’s the peak of purity and texture.”
Andrew Caillard, MW on The Apex Twin 2022
“This is a superbly crafted ultra-fine Yarra Valley chardonnay that evokes the best of winemaking precision, creative flair and selection. The Apex Twin 2022 is David Bicknell’s ever-evolving curiosity; a wine that distills the complexity of the Funder & Diamond Vineyard’s Drive Block terroir while offering a masterclass in hedonistic refinement.
Share now or hold for just a few years to enjoy all the fascinating detail and layers of flavours.”
“… nobody asked for this wine.”
The creation of The Apex Twin Chardonnay stems from Bicknell’s desire to push the boundaries of Australian Chardonnay. “Nobody asked for this wine,” he says.
“But much like nobody asked for punk music, we felt it was necessary. It’s about moving the needle and showing what’s possible. In the evolution of Australian Chardonnay, this is really stepping outside and defying fashion to create something else where its texture and purity are just otherworldly in a way.”
“It’s not a limited release wine, it’s an exclusive release”
With its limited single-barrel production of only 576 bottles, The Apex Twin Chardonnay 2022 epitomises rarity and luxury. Wine lovers and collectors are encouraged to act quickly to secure their bottles of this extraordinary wine.
“The Apex Twin is a special wine because it’s so delicious, impactful, and rare,” Bicknell adds. “It’s a game changer in many ways for what we do at Oakridge, but hopefully also a guiding light for the evolution of Australian Chardonnay.”
“The mama bear block.”
Planted in 1990 on ancient red volcanic soils, the Funder & Diamond Vineyard stands out as one of the Yarra Valley’s finest sites. With its low-yielding P58 Chardonnay clone vines, the 0.6-hectare Drive Block consistently produces fruit of exceptional quality. With the clonal material originally sourced from Burgundy, the vines have adapted over decades to the Upper Yarra’s cool climate, offering a balance of purity, tension, and remarkable aromatics.
“It’s the mama bear block,” Bicknell says. “Everything seems to be just right — its aspect, protection from the elements, and the consistent quality of its output. After more than a decade of working with this site, it’s become metronomic in what it does.”
Only the very best parcel of fruit from the Drive Block was selected to create this exceptional wine. A single barrel, chosen for its unique qualities and outstanding purity, became the foundation of The Apex Twin Chardonnay. “There are always barrels that have that je ne sais quoi,” Bicknell explains. “The Apex Twin comes from one such barrel, making it incredibly exclusive and special.”
“This wine defies the Australian chardonnay paradigm.”
