Ministry of Clouds Chardonnay 2023

Ministry of Clouds was established in 2012 by Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood, born out of their shared passion for wine and a desire to create a life immersed in its world. After years spent working with prestigious European wines and later with esteemed family-owned wineries in McLaren Vale, they developed a deep appreciation for the intricacies of viticulture and winemaking. Their journey fostered a love not just for wine itself but for the entire process—from walking the vineyards and understanding seasonal nuances, to working closely with growers and carefully guiding each vintage from vine to bottle.

Determined to chart their own path, Ong and Forwood created Ministry of Clouds as a way to pursue creative freedom and authenticity. The name reflects their belief in the delicate balance between control and unpredictability in winemaking—a humbling reminder that nature often has the final say. Ministry of Clouds is both a tribute to their meticulous craft and an embrace of the spontaneous beauty that makes wine so compelling.

A pure and tightly wound wine showing the muscle and intensity of the low yielding Birdwood and Woodside sites, and the nervy acid line synonymous with fine, late ripening and deeply cool Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay. A shy and somewhat restrained nose showing spicey ginger, white flowers, green nectarine fruit characters, and subtle hints of nougat and white chocolate. On the palate, a bedrock of chalky minerality supports a core of intense stone fruit, framing its lingering acidity.

Ideal serving temperature is 12°C, and we love this wine with a simple chicken with 40 cloves of garlic, duck fat roast dutch cream potatoes and steamed baby green beans. Drink up to 8 years for a more complex expression.