Chardonnay comes in more styles than its buttery reputation suggests. Some bottles are fresh and citrus-led, while others bring creamy texture, vanilla and toasted oak to the table.
You don't need a large budget to explore that variety. These 10 Chardonnays range from NZ$12.99 to $24.99, with options from New Zealand, Australia, France and California. Whether you prefer a lighter style with seafood or something richer for roast chicken, there's a bottle here to consider. Browse our full Chardonnay range for more.
Our Chardonnay Picks at a Glance
All bottles are 750ml. Click a wine name to view the product.
| Wine | Region | Featured price |
|---|---|---|
| Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2024 | South Australia | $12.99 |
| Yellow Tail Buttery Chardonnay | South Eastern Australia | $12.99 |
| Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Chardonnay 2023 | East Coast, NZ | $14.99 |
| Rapaura Springs Reserve Chardonnay 2024/2025 | Marlborough, NZ | $16.99 |
| Mills Reef Estate Chardonnay 2023 | Hawke's Bay, NZ | $16.99 |
| Esk Valley Artisanal Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2023 | Hawke's Bay, NZ | $19.99 |
| Abbotts and Delaunay Chardonnay 2024 | Pays d'Oc, France | $19.99 |
| Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2023 | California, USA | $19.99 |
| Kumeu Village Chardonnay 2025 | Auckland, NZ | $20.99 |
| Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 2024 | Hawke's Bay, NZ | $24.99 |
Prices are in NZD and reflect the featured offers when this selection was prepared. Prices, availability and supplied vintages may change; check the linked product page before ordering.
1. Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2024 — $12.99
Our pick for exploring Australian Chardonnay on a budget
Yalumba Y Series comes from South Australia's oldest family-owned winery. Grapes are picked across the flavour spectrum, from lively lemon and lime to riper peach and tropical fruit, then made with a hands-off approach for a balanced, fresh style. At $12.99, it shares the lowest price in this selection.
Try it alongside Yellow Tail Buttery at the same price to discover which Australian style you prefer.
Suggested pairing: Roast chicken, grilled vegetables or a picnic platter.
2. Yellow Tail Buttery Chardonnay — $12.99
Our pick for buttery Chardonnay lovers
If butter, vanilla and toasted oak are what you enjoy in Chardonnay, this is the clearest starting point on the list.
Yellow Tail describes its Buttery Chardonnay with rich buttery aromas, vanilla and butterscotch, followed by a smooth, oak-accented finish. At $12.99, it offers an inexpensive way to explore this fuller style.
Suggested pairing: Creamy mushroom pasta, chicken pie or a cheese platter.
3. Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Chardonnay 2023 — $14.99
Our pick for a New Zealand bottle under $15
Villa Maria Private Bin is a fruit-driven, medium-bodied Chardonnay with ripe peach, citrus and fig, a creamy texture and a delicate touch of oak. It's a practical option when you want to stay below $15 and choose a familiar New Zealand label.
Add it to a mixed selection with an Australian Chardonnay to compare the wines over dinner. Keep the food simple so you can notice the differences in fruit, texture and finish.
Suggested pairing: Roast poultry, vegetable quiche or creamy pasta.
4. Rapaura Springs Reserve Chardonnay 2024/2025 — $16.99
Our pick for trying a Marlborough Reserve bottling
Rapaura Springs Reserve is crafted from selected Marlborough vineyards for flavour concentration and palate weight. At $16.99, it makes the Reserve range accessible without using the full $25 budget.
It also provides a Marlborough option alongside the Hawke's Bay wines in this selection. The listing covers 2024/2025, so check the supplied vintage when ordering.
Suggested pairing: Grilled fish, seafood pasta or roast chicken.
5. Mills Reef Estate Chardonnay 2023 — $16.99
Our pick for an approachable Hawke's Bay style
Mills Reef Estate Chardonnay is grown mainly at the Bridge Pa vineyard in Hawke's Bay's celebrated Bridge Pa Triangle, and is described as soft, smooth and creamy.
At $16.99, it's worth considering if you prefer a gentler, rounder Chardonnay rather than a sharply citrus-led wine. Choose it for an uncomplicated meal where a little richness will fit comfortably.
Suggested pairing: Chicken in a creamy sauce, roast pork or baked fish.
6. Esk Valley Artisanal Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2023 — $19.99
Our pick for a rich, barrel-fermented Hawke's Bay style
Esk Valley Artisanal is fermented with wild yeast in French oak barriques. The result is a rich, full-flavoured Hawke's Bay Chardonnay with peach, grapefruit, grilled nuts, oatmeal and butter, finished with subtle oak spice.
Choose it when you want a Chardonnay with real depth and texture at a mid-range price.
Suggested pairing: Roast chicken, pork belly or scallops in butter sauce.
7. Abbotts and Delaunay Chardonnay 2024 — $19.99
Our pick for adding a French bottle to the mix
Abbotts and Delaunay brings southern France into this selection. From the Pays d'Oc, it is crisp and bright on the palate with a smooth, buttery finish. The listing shows 92 points from Bob Campbell MW; check the product page for the vintage rated.
It's a useful choice when you want to compare Chardonnay across countries. Try it alongside a New Zealand bottle at the same price, keeping the serving temperature and food consistent.
Suggested pairing: Roast chicken, mushroom tart or baked salmon.
8. Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2023 — $19.99
Our pick for exploring California
This Californian Chardonnay is creamy, vibrant and bold, made in a fruit-driven, food-friendly style. The listing shows 91 points and 4.5 stars from Sam Kim of Wine Orbit; check the product page for the vintage rated.
If you're assembling a small tasting, compare it with Yellow Tail Buttery and a New Zealand Chardonnay, and simply consider which wine's fruit, acidity and texture you most enjoy.
Suggested pairing: Roast chicken, creamy seafood pasta or grilled pork.
9. Kumeu Village Chardonnay 2025 — $20.99
Our pick for a fresher, restrained-oak style
Kumeu Village is a good direction for drinkers who prefer fresh citrus and white peach to obvious buttery richness. Fermented 60% in stainless steel and 40% in old French oak, it shows very little oak influence, letting the vibrant fruit shine. The winery calls it the perfect aperitif Chardonnay.
At $20.99, it's an appealing step up for a seafood lunch or a dinner where you want the wine to complement lighter flavours.
Suggested pairing: Grilled fish, prawns or lemon-and-herb chicken.
10. Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 2024 — $24.99
Our pick for using the full $25 budget
Just inside the price limit, Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 2024 combines peach and lemon character with creamy complexity. The producer's notes also describe buttered popcorn, marzipan and a fresh, lively finish.
The 2024 vintage received 93 points and five stars from Sam Kim, Wine Orbit. It's a useful option when you want fruit, texture and freshness together rather than choosing solely for richness.
Suggested pairing: Roast chicken, grilled salmon or creamy mushroom risotto.
Which Chardonnay Should You Choose?
- For the lowest price: Yalumba Y Series or Yellow Tail Buttery, both $12.99.
- For buttery flavours: Yellow Tail Buttery.
- For a New Zealand bottle under $15: Villa Maria Private Bin.
- For a soft, creamy style: Mills Reef Estate.
- For a rich, barrel-fermented style: Esk Valley Artisanal.
- For fresh fruit with little oak: Kumeu Village.
- For an international comparison: Abbotts and Delaunay or Fat Bastard.
- For a dinner bottle near $25: Te Mata Estate 2024.
A Note on Ratings and Vintages
Scores and medals apply to the particular wine assessed. Check the reviewer, competition and vintage on the product page before relying on a rating, as an award earned by an earlier release does not automatically apply to the next.
Build Your Chardonnay Selection
A mixed selection is the easiest way to find your style. Pick one fresh, lightly oaked bottle, one creamy or buttery style and one from another country, then compare them over the same meal. A mixed dozen from this list will easily take you past the $250 mark.
We deliver throughout New Zealand. Delivery is included on orders over $250. You must be 18 or over to purchase alcohol. See our shipping and refund policy for details.
Shop our Chardonnay collection and 6 pack and 12 pack wine deals, or read our other summer guides: Best Sauvignon Blanc Under $25 and Best Rosé Under $25.
FAQs
What is the best Chardonnay under $25 in NZ?
Popular choices include Villa Maria Private Bin at $14.99, Esk Valley Artisanal and Kumeu Village from New Zealand, and Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 2024, rated 93 points by Sam Kim. Yalumba Y Series and Yellow Tail Buttery are the best value at $12.99.
What is the difference between oaked and unoaked Chardonnay?
Oaked Chardonnay is fermented or aged in oak barrels, giving vanilla, toast, butter and a creamy texture. Unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay is made mostly in stainless steel, so it tastes fresher, with more citrus and stone fruit.
How cold should Chardonnay be served?
Serve lighter, unoaked Chardonnay at around 8 to 10 degrees, and richer, oaked styles a little warmer, at 10 to 13 degrees, so their texture and aromas can show.
Where can I buy Chardonnay online in NZ?
You can buy Chardonnay online at Whiskey Online, an Auckland based online liquor store that delivers throughout New Zealand. Delivery is included on orders over $250. Read our guide Where to Buy Alcohol Online in NZ.
Please drink responsibly. You must be 18 or over to purchase alcohol in New Zealand.
