WINES
Gewürztraminer
Pronounced Ga-vertz-tra-meener, this wine is treasured for its intense floral aromas. It is an aromatic white wine grape variety which performs best in cooler climates. Originally from Germany, this grape can now be found all over the world and is one of the four Grand Cru grapes of Alsace. Generally this variety is higher in alcohol and lower in acidity and can be distinguished by its lychee and rose petal aromas.
Learn More About This Varietal
Tasting Notes
Vintage Overview
A dry winter was followed by periods of cooler unsettled weather during
flowering and fruit set, which resulted in reduced numbers of berries
per bunch. This combined with a return to the classic dry windy weather
Marlborough is renowned for led to a significant reduction in yield from
the long-term average.
The ripening period was characterised by long hot days and cool nights
which were crucial to retaining vibrant acidity in such a dry year.
Without any significant rainfall events throughout the growing season
the viticulture and winemaking teams were afforded the luxury of
perfect ripening conditions for the production high quality fruit without
any weather or disease concerns.
Targeted irrigation management ensured the vines maintained a
healthy canopy throughout, with overall vine health unparalleled,
resulting in wines of intense concentration, balance, and tension.
Picking commenced earlier than in previous vintages at the beginning
of March, with the fine settled weather continuing through to the end
of harvest in mid-April, allowing a more relaxed picking schedule and
extended hang-time for later ripening varieties. Certainly, one of the
most outstanding vintages we have ever experienced.
Vinification
Harvested in the cool of the early morning from the winery block vineyard on the banks of the Wairau River. The fruit was de-stemmed and held with the skins in the press for 24 hours. The free run and light pressings were separated and cold
settled. A portion of the wine was fermented in old neutral French oak barrels, with the balance in stainless steel. The ferments were stopped with some residual sugar to aid texture and weight.
Flavour Profile
-
Gingerbread
-
Spices
-
Rose Petal
-
Lychee
Technical Data
-
Alc
12.5%
-
TA
5.4 g/L
-
pH
3.58
-
RS
10 g/L
Harvested 24th March 2024
Regional Overview
The Wairau Valley is one of three zones – along with the Southern Valleys and the Awatere Valley – which make up the heartland of New Zealand's Marlborough wine region. It accounts for approximately 45 percent of plantings within the wider region. An extensive patchwork of vineyards surrounds the town of Blenheim in the north-eastern corner of the South Island, near where the Wairau River meets the Pacific Ocean.
The Wairau Valley is a wide river valley that follows the Wairau River from the Spenser Mountains in the west to the Pacific at Cloudy Bay. The Richmond Mountains in the north separate it from the sunny region of Nelson, and the Wither Hills in the south protect the valley from harsh weather systems from the south-east.
In the low-lying area along the Wairau River Rapaura and Renwick are the most established zones. However in recent years vineyard plantings have extended further west along the narrow valley floor.
Wairau Valley has a warm, dry climate that is moderated during the growing season by sea breezes from Cloudy Bay. Hot sunshine during the day and cold ocean winds at night extend the ripening period in the grapes, leading to a balance of fruit complexity and acidity. This diurnal temperature variation is essential to the terroir in the Wairau Valley – without it, much of the classic punchiness of the wines made here would be lost.
Reviews
Varietal FAQs
Where are your wines made?
All our wines are made on site in our winery. We draw fruit from our 15 estate vineyards, which means they are owned by us. We built our winery in 2002.
Can I visit your vineyard / winery and do you offer winery tours and tastings?
Our Restaurant & Cellar Door is closed for the time being, and unfortunately due to health and safety regulations we are unable to have visitors at our winery.
How can I keep the wine fresh once a bottle has been opened?
To keep an open bottle of wine fresh, ensure the cap is tightly sealed after every glass pour. Our white wines and rosé should be stored, cap on, in a refrigerator to slow down oxidisation. For our red wines, keep the wine bottle out of light and stored at room temperature (below 21 degrees Celsius or 70 degrees Fahrenheit), or in a refrigerator.
How long will your wine last when opened?
White wines are good for 1-2 days and red wines for 3-5 days if stored correctly.
