McWilliams have long been sourcing fruit from Tumbarumba for some of their most memorable vintages. It has taken many years of devoted viticulture and dedication to the land before arriving at 842 Chardonnay. This prolific award winner is the flagship white from Tumbarumba's highest plantings, crafted from fruit grown at an altitude of 842 metres. The driving inspiration for the team is to create a truly cool climate, elegant style of Chardonnay which offers engaging complexity while remaining true to the expression of Tumbarumba's lofty terroir.

The most precious blocks of estate grown Chardonnay, planted to elevated east facing vineyards are hand picked and whole bunch pressed. Parcels are settled on full grape solids and inoculated to a combination of wild indigenous and winery yeast. Components are treated to an individual vinification in a high proportion of new French oak barriques. A course of lees stirring batonnage builds luxurious texture, palate richness and length. A total of nine months in barrel without any malolactic preserves and retains the wonderfully crisp, slatey acidity of Tumbarumba Chardonnay. Upon completion, the best barrels are treated to a strict cull to arrive at the final assemblage.