Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge, Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002, he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn’t get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia’s heartland of these noble varieties. In 2003, he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment’s hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin’s journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor.

In the glass, the 2022 Mills Chardonnay opens with a captivating bouquet of grilled hazelnuts and golden almonds, laced with vibrant aromas of key lime pie, lemon curd, and buttery pastry. On the palate, it reveals an impressive core of power and poise, layers of fleshy yellow nectarine and ripe stone fruits unfold, complemented by nuances of candied citrus peel. A beautifully integrated spine of natural acidity lends energy and lift, guiding the wine through a finely etched, elegant finish.