S. Caica Bowyer Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay 2025

2025 is Adelaide-based winemaker Simon Caica's second vintage under his S. Caica label. Using seasoned oak and minimal intervention techniques, his wines are carefully crafted and refined expressions of place.

Bowyer Ridge is one of the more important Chardonnay vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, a high-altitude site in Kenton Valley at around 495 metres that supplies fruit to producers including Shaw + Smith, Murdoch Hill, Paralian and Wirra Wirra. Planted in 2003 and 2007, the vineyard is planted on deep red loam over fractured mica schist and ironstone, with its elevation and cool conditions contributing acidity to Chardonnay through a long ripening period. This is the first Chardonnay made by Simon Caica (pronounced Kai-Kerr), using Bernard 96 clone fruit from Bowyer Ridge. The fruit was foot crushed and gently whole-bunch pressed, then fermented in seasoned French oak and aged for ten months on lees, undergoing full malolactic fermentation without the influence of new oak. There is white peach, nectarine and citrus blossom, with almond meal and a subtle flinty character, while the palate combines ripe stone fruit with creamy texture, fine phenolic grip and fresh acidity.