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
After a lower yielding 2021 vintage, Marlborough was blessed with outstanding weather in December providing near perfect flowering conditions and a subsequent great fruit set. This translated into an increased number of berries per bunch, and helped offset the slightly lower than average bunch numbers which was a result of the cooler weather we experienced during flowering in 2020. The great weather conditions continued through January with above average daily temperatures and sunshine hours, punctuated by timely periods of rainfall. This ensured optimal soil water status giving great canopy development and health. Initially it looked like an early start to harvest but then we saw periods with cooler temperatures and increased rainfall in late January and early February. This slowed development and extended the ripening period with harvest commencing in the 3rd week of March and concluding at the end of April. The extended ripening period has lead to wines with great balance and poise ensuring some outstanding components to go into this years’ blends.
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
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Gingerbread
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Spices
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Rose Petal
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Lychee
Technical Data
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Alc
13.5%
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TA
6.4 g/L
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pH
3.55
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RS
13.5 g/L
Harvested 27th March 2022
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.
