Vineyard

Planted in 1986 at a vine density of 5000 vines per hectare . The soils are classified as Waipara Greensand which is a green grey richly glauconitic sandstone. A mass selection of Pinot Noir cuttings were planted on their own roots and established and farmed without irrigation. Organic and biodynamic farming practices have been used since 2012. The Netherwood Vineyard was fully certified organic with BioGro in March 2017 and certified Demeter in 2023.

Season

Winter and early spring rainfalls meant vines started the growing season in spring with adequate soil moisture. This continued through December which allowed good spring growth. Some intermittent rain around flowering meant fruit set was disrupted and developing bunches were small. Warm dry weather from January to April provided low disease pressure and good ripening for developing grape bunches. Cool nights in March retained acidy and slowed ripening. Hand harvest began in early March where small clusters of ripe concentrated disease free fruit was received. Settled weather continued right through harvest which was completed on April 14.

Harvest

Hand harvested on March 15 and April 2 2024

Harvest 1.7 Ton Yield = 0.3 kg/vine Brix 21.8 - 22.0

TA 7.3 - 8.3g/ L pH 3.23 - 3.32 MA 2.5 g/L

Fermentation and maturation

100% destemmed but not crushed. 70% whole berries. Yeast for fermentation was propagated from a vineyard starter. Fermentation lasted 10 to 12 days with hand or foot plunging once per day at the end of fermentation. Pressed after 27 days on skins and drained to tight grained seasoned French, 228 and 500L barrels. No new oak.  Malo-lactic fermentation was completed by spring. 12 months barrel maturation, then racked to stainless steel tank where the wine settled for 3 months. Bottled without fining or filtration. 40ppm Sulphites added.

Bottled

Bottled in one lot under screw cap on June 19 2025.

R. S. < 0.10 g/L      TA 4.8 g/L       pH 3.83       Dry extract 24.6g/L      

Alcohol 12.5% VA 0.53g/L     TSO2 42 mg/L

Wine Notes

Deep ruby hue. Seductive and vibrant aromas of raspberry, red cherry, deep red rose, and hints of fertile earth. Flavours of silken and luscious red fruit, with dense mid palate tannin. Bright, persistent flavour length and texture that is elegant and long from low yielding vines grown on Sandstone and calcareous clay soils. This is an unfined and unfiltered wine with small amounts of sediment. Please allow the bottle to stand and settle before pouring. Decanting will allow maximum expression of aroma and purity of fruit to emerge.

Drink now to 2035