About
The Riesling is planted on the higher elevated Southern section of the vineyard bordered by gullies, with the gully to the west being an established pine forest creating a warm sheltered block. The Riesling is closely planted, and has been split into two blocks with the lower block being spur pruned and the higher larger block single cane pruned to reduce vigor and maximize flavor. Like several of our other blocks we tend and harvest this block by hand. These plantings focus on German Geisenheim clone Gm 239, backed by clones Gm 198 and then Gm 110, which provide a classically elegant wine with mandarin, lime and lemon flavors.
Terroir
Sourced entirely from North Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand. The plantings are divided into 23 separate blocks, highlighting clonal selection, sun exposure, land aspect and soil composites. Surrounding the vineyard is our working sheep and beef farm covering 500 hectares.The two main hill slopes are dissected by a lake which divides the vineyard into North and South blocks. The Northern blocks are lower and cooler and more suited to our Sauvignon Blanc. The Southern blocks are higher and warmer, and suited to our Pinot Noir and Riesling varieties.
Vinification
We did an early pick of very clean fruit on 31st March followed by selective picks of the Riesling ensuring only clean ripe fruit was harvested on 10th 13th and 14th April. The grapes were whole bunch pressed, with the free run and pressings kept separate. The juice was settled for 36 hours only, to retain some cloudiness in the juice, this contributes to texture and aroma. The juices were then cool fermented using aromatic yeast. The ferment was stopped when we achieved a balance of sugar and acid. Balance is everything in winemaking. The wine was aged on light yeast lees for a few months, before racking, blending and bottling.
Tasting Notes
The Riesling is our baby, in the sense that it was the first wine we produced and launched to the public. It is textural and mineral, ripe and off-dry with flavours of citrus, sweet almond blossom and wet wool. The citrus notes meld together with crisp, minerality and a floral character on the palate. It finishes with a beautiful, lingering acidity. This wine is made by blending together two distinct blocks of Riesling from the vineyard.
Food Pairing
Pair our Mt. Beautiful Riesling with fresh New Zealand Scallops, other seafood, spicy dishes, and a laissez-faire outlook or drink on its own on a warm afternoon
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