Stories and Latest Releases
Complimentary end of year tastings!
With the festive season fast approaching, this can mean only one thing! Complimentary Pegasus Bay Wine Club tastings are here again, hallelujah! As usual, the Donaldson Family will be rolling out the red carpet and we’d love to see you there, along with any family or friends who may be interested. No need to book, simply choose a location and come join the fun, you might even win a prize!.
All orders placed on the night for each city will go into 2 draws for a chance to win:
1st Draw
Magnum of Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir
2nd Draw
Magnum of Pegasus Bay Chardonnay
Tuesday 28th November 5-7pm
Boulevard Room
Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
21 Viaduct Harbour Avenue
Wednesday 29th November 5-7pm
The Boatshed
Taranaki Street Wharf
Wellington Waterfront
Wednesday 6th December 5-7 pm
Miro Restaurant (upstairs)
176 Oxford Terrace
Central City, Christchurch
Spoil your loved ones in the UK
Looking for a Christmas gift idea for friends or family in Blighty?
Easy, just contact our UK home delivery service Must Wines, who stock a range of our wines, and they will dispatch an emergency goodie bag postehaste, to ensure your loved ones have adequate supplies for the big day. Visit mustwines.co.uk
Mini Deli & Cellar Door
Now in its third summer, our Mini Deli has gone from strength to strength.
Open 5 days a week, it’s fast becoming the discerners choice for a relaxed afternoon in the North Canterbury countryside. Get your friends and family together, politely spar over which of our delicious artisan deli products to select, then relax and create your own platter amongst our stunning gardens, supplemented of course by a drop or two of your favourite wine.
Struggling for Christmas pressie inspiration?
We have a range of gift boxes available, just grab your favourite treats from our deli and luxury retail selection, add a bottle of something special and voilà!
Vouchers also available that can be used both in our Deli and Cellar Door, as well as our Online Shop.
Pegasus Bay Mini Deli
Thursday to Monday
10.30am - 4.30pm
No bookings. Max group size 10.
For full list of produce visit pegasusbay.com/deli
Pegasus Bay Cellar Door
Thursday to Monday
10.00am - 5.00pm
Bookings advised. Max group size 10.
Both closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Sibling rivalry
Here at Pegasus Bay, we’re not a one-trick pony, and some of you may be surprised to hear there is a younger sibling that has for years been vying for attention. This is our sister label, Main Divide.
Made alongside our Pegasus Bay wines since 1993, it began using solely 3rd party fruit, but now boasts its own vineyard on Georges Road, which we planted in 2010. While still working with some select local growers, we now grow much of the fruit ourselves.
From humble beginnings, this unassuming child has now morphed into a highly respected brand of its own, snapping at the heels of its illustrious sibling.
Our intention has always been to let Main Divide forge its own path, but we feel it’s the right time to finally connect the dots, so rather than our labels referring to ‘by the Donaldson Family’, you’ll now find new releases emblazoned ‘by Pegasus Bay’.
Of course, Pegasus Bay wines will always remain our flagship product, but we’re proud of how Main Divide has matured over the years and encourage those unfamiliar with the brand to do some due diligence. You may well notice the family resemblance!
Website
maindivide.com
Online Shop
Buy Main Divide
pegasusbay.com/md
Buy Main Divide Reserve
pegasusbay.com/mdr
Mixed museum packs
Not many people are disciplined enough to lay down their wine for extended periods, and in fact something like 98% of all wine purchased is consumed within 24 hours.
This is one of the reasons why at Pegasus Bay we love to stock such an extensive library, so from time to time we can dip into the back catalogue and give our wine club the opportunity to appreciate wines in their maturity, with the added complexities of bottle age.
We currently have a selection of mixed museum packs available on our website, what better way to treat the oenophiles in your life!
Get in quick as stocks are extremely limited!pegasusbay.com/mixed
Fortify yourself
We’re delighted to welcome back an old favourite in our repertoire, including its newly inked reserve caricature. This is our vintage port style, known as Requiem.
Produced only once back in 2010, this concentrated and full-bodied beauty was inspired again in 2019 by a Portuguese winemaker who worked harvest with us and oversaw its production.
A late harvest selection of our Bordeaux reds was fermented to approx. 10 brix and then fortified by the addition of a neutral spirit. Dense and muscular, this extremely limited and rare edition to our portfolio is perfect for a post dinner snifter and a must try for all port lovers.
See below.
Available in 375ml and 750ml
Last chance to read the Truant
If you’ve read Ivan Donaldson’s autobiography, you’ll know his working life has always involved twin passions – medicine and wine.
Canvassing his early days as a registrar at Christchurch hospital, making wine between shifts using the drum of an old washing machine, to gallivanting with the family around the wine regions of Europe, and eventually establishing Pegasus Bay, this insightful and humorous book explains how a young doctor got seduced by the wine world.
Get now while stocks remain, order on our online store.
All proceeds to the NZ Brain Research Institute.
The Prescription Pad
Having been involved in grape growing and winemaking for almost 50 years, I sometimes get asked if it has been effected by global warming. I’m not a climate change denier but I have found it difficult to see a pattern as NZ’s weather is so changeable. This is because, being surrounded by ocean, NZ is very windy and regardless of the season our weather is very dependent on wind direction and topography.
In the South Island a major determinant of weather is the Southern Alps. If it blows from north or west it rains on the West Coast and is warm and dry in the east, including in Canterbury. If it blows from the east the reverse applies. In southerlies the east coast is cold while the West Coast basks in sunshine. These winds tend to cycle between north-west, south and east and a full rotation may take weeks or be as short as a day, hence our four seasons in a day.
Canterbury is subject to these cooling easterly breezes in summer but north of Amberley a range of hills runs along the coast, sheltering the Waipara Valley and giving it a drier, warmer mesoclimate. Our vineyard gets maximal advantage from this, being tucked up at the foot of this range. We have also created a special microclimate with tall shelter belts enabling us to get extra heat and grow varieties not commonly seen in the South Island, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Semillon and Muscat. But this is only part of the story because the mischievous boy, El Niño, or his petulant sister, La Niña, sometimes pay a visit. El Niño occurs when the temperature in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean increases and the air it warms rises high into the sky. This generates replacement air flow from the west Pacific Ocean resulting in westerly winds and giving us a warmer, drier summer and autumn than usual. This is generally good news for viticulturists. The converse occurs in a La Niña year, which brings more easterly weather and is colder and moister than usual.
These two opposing weather patterns have occurred irregularly for as long as I can remember, interspersed with what could be called our normal seasonal weather, making it difficult for a mere vigneron to detect global warming with any certainty.
I may, however, have finally witnessed extreme climate change. After three consecutive years of La Niña we have been looking forward to a predicted 2023/2024 El Niño, but the boy can be obstreperous. In late October he crashed through with an almighty westerly storm that took out 60 of our mature shelter belt trees.
Fortunately, these losses were interspersed so that there were no large gaps, and the vines were spared. Given that gusts of over 200 km/hr were recorded in Canterbury we consider ourselves lucky.
We would, however, like to say, “Welcome El Niño, but please tone it down a bit and we’ll do our best to make you some wine with your own stamp on it.”
Cheers,
All bottles 750ml unless otherwise stated
SAUVIGNON SEMILLON 2020
Mimicking a traditional white Bordeaux using approx. 70% tank fermented Sauvignon Blanc and 30% barrel fermented Semillon. As with our 2019 vintage, a portion of the Sauvignon has been aged on skins for 200 days, adding extra structure and complexity.
Concentrated with loads of personality ... savoury notes adding complexity.
Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooperwines.com, NZ
95/100 Complex and attractive ... a delicious textured wine.
Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com, NZ
RIESLING 2021 - New Release
Off dry in style and fermented at low temperatures to retain zesty aromas and flavours. Bottled with a little naturally dissolved CO2 to give a hint of spritzig and tangy freshness.
94/100 Dried apple and pear with some peach pie. Aromatic and brilliant.
James Suckling Wine Reviews, jamessuckling.com, USA
RIESLING 2013 'Aged Release'
A small amount of our 2013 vintage has been careful cellared on your behalf and is now ready to strut its stuff! Riesling has a great ability to age for many years in the bottle, developing some fascinating qualities along the way.
96/100 A bouquet of deep complexity … exotic spice and seductive perfume … a fantastic example.
Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com, NZ
95/100 Gorgeously maturing with fabulous complexity ... grilled mango, orange peel, honey and potpourri.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, wineorbit.co.nz
RIESLING 2020 - New Release
1.5L Magnum
19/20 This complex, heavy-weight Riesling is packed with flavours and concentration.
Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
94/100 A taut, salivating and intense palate … touch of sweetness on the finish provides the perfect balance.
Stephen Bennett MW/Lynette Hudson, nzwinerater.com, NZ
GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2021
The lingering dry autumn of 2021 allowed us to leave the fruit on the vines until late in the season, where it developed some noble botrytis, resulting in a wine that is rich and unctuous, with intense varietal character.
Clean yet richly complex, luxuriously oily to finish. Exotically excellent.
Yvonne Lorkin, yvonnelorkin.com, NZ
Fresh, vigorous, and highly perfumed … excellent complexity..
Michael Cooper, michaelcooperwines.com NZ
MUSCAT 2018
We have a tiny plot of muscat à petits grains, a variety that is used in Alsace and the Rhône Valley. Made in an off-dry style and hailing from one of our hottest summers on record, this aromatic and flavourful wine packs a serious punch.
18.5/20 This Alsatian style muscat is powerful and opulent with complex interest
and a sustained, spice finish.
Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
93/100 Wonderful, intense aromatics … fleshy, fruity, spicy and delicious.
Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com, NZ
CHARDONNAY 2019
750ml Club and 1.5L Magnum
Made from ultra-low cropping Mendoza clone, this concentrated Chardonnay has power and intensity. Following traditional Burgundian techniques, the juice was fermented with natural yeasts in French puncheons and aged on lees for 12 months.
An absolute Southern icon Chardonnay … beautifully balanced … its outstanding.
Yvonne Lorkin, yvonnelorkin.com, NZ
19/20 One of the South Island’s most powerful, full-bodied, dry, and rewardingly complex Chardonnays.
Joelle Thomson, drinksbiz.co.nz
PINOT NOIR 2021 - New Release
Following traditional Burgundian techniques, wild ferment then aged in oak for 15mths. We think this latest edition showcases our terroir perfectly. Structured and concentrated, while retaining elegance and finesse.
96/100 Superbly complex and enticing … multi layered with loads of delectable flavours..
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, wineorbit.co.nz
This is one of North Canterbury’s greatest Pinot Noirs … very rich in body and flavour. A very graceful red.
Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooperwines.com NZ
PINOT NOIR 2013 'Aged Release'
This beautifully balanced Pinot from a stellar season has been patiently maturing and is now ready to reveal its glory. A rare opportunity to experience the complexities of bottle age, while stocks last..
18.5/20 Ripe, rich palate with excellent concentration, and a savoury lingering finish.
Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
95/100 Full body with layered fruit and tannins, and a savoury finish.
James Suckling Wine Reviews, jamessuckling.com, USA
PINOT NOIR 2020
1.5L Magnum
95/100 Deliciously savoury undertones … deep and complex.
James Suckling Wine Reviews, jamessuckling.com, USA
94/100 A divine mouth perfume clings to a persistent finish, calling you back for more.
Steve Leszczynski, qwinereviews.com AUS
PINOT NOIR 2019 - New Release
3L Jeroboam
19/20 Great backbone, counterbalanced by beautiful, refreshing acidity.
Joelle Thomson, drinksbiz.co.nz
NZ Top 50 wines Ripe and concentrated but well balanced.
The Wine Merchant Magazine, UK
MERLOT CABERNET 2020
This hot and drawn-out season was perfect for ripening our Bordeaux reds. Aged in oak for 18 months, the finished product is made up of predominately Merlot, with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon, and a small amount of Cabernet Franc.
95/100 Core of fruit contrasted by polished tannins, medium + acidity and a lengthy, juicy finish. Lots to like about this wine.
Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com, NZ
94/100 Wonderfully flavoursome palate … bold yet stylish.
Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz
MERLOT CABERNET 2019
1.5L Magnum
2019 was also a fantastic season for the Bordeaux varieties in our vineyard. The final blend is similar to the 2020 mentioned above.
95/100 Seductively smooth textured … complex with good cellaring potential … clearly from a top vintage.
Bob Campbell MW, therealreview.com, AUS
VERGENCE WHITE Mk 2
Vergence is our non-traditional label where we enjoy pushing the boundaries of conventional winemaking. As with our White MK1, the core of our White MK2 is barrel aged old vine semillon, blended with Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and a touch of aromatics. Once again this is a multi-vintage wine to realise its full potential.
Excellent to Outstanding Textural impact without weight … delicious salivatory close. A winner.
Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times.
18.5+/20 This beautiful white blend is enticing and multilayered, with a plush mouthfeel and invigorating finish.
Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
VERGENCE RED Mk 2
Our Vergence Red MK2 is certainly avant-garde. Made from our 2021 vintage, it comprises principally of Pinot Noir, but also includes a portion of Cabernet Sauvignon (approximately 15%) that was aged on skins for 200 days. If you like your Pinots at the fuller and more structured end of the spectrum, then this wine is not to be missed.
All bottles 750ml unless otherwise stated
BEL CANTO DRY RIESLING 2022 - New Release
Only possible to make in seasons that are favourable to botrytis. The grapes have almost the same ripeness as those used for Aria, but fermented to dryness, resulting in a wine that is richly textured, yet still possessing focus and drive.
18.5+/20 Full and complex, with aromas of gunflint overlaying citrus, orchard fruit and crunchy minerals.
Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
94/100 Alsace style Riesling with energy and impressive complexity … dry but not austere.
Bob Campbell MW, therealreview.com AUS
BEL CANTO DRY RIESLING 2020 - New Release
1.5L Magnum
NZ Top 50 Wines One of the best in the country … a complex, full rich style with a touch of marmalade and a long, long finish.
The Wine Merchant magazine, UK
Erupts with orange zest, honeysuckle, layers of lime and quartzy minerality resulting in a dry, lipsmacking finish.
Yvonne Lorkin, yvonnelorkin.com NZ
ARIA LATE HARVEST RIESLING 2022 - New Release
750ml and 1.5L Magnum
In favourable years that allow such as this one, the bunches are left on the vines until late in the season then hand-selected with around 50% noble botrytis. This adds extra flavour nuances and gives a mouth filling lusciousness, similar to Auslese wines of Germany.
A lovely mouthful … invitingly scented, gently honeyed bouquet.
Michael Cooper, michaelcooperwines.com
94/100 Dried apricot and candied lemons that follow through to a sweet finish of Turkish delight.
James Suckling Wine Reviews, jamessuckling.com USA
VIRTUOSO CHARDONNAY 2019
Following a sublime season in the vineyard, our winemaking team were able to work their magic and craft this rich and complex Chardonnay. A selection of the best barrels coming from some of the oldest plantings in the vineyard. Almost sold out so get in quick!
19/20 Hedonistic and weighty structure … an outstanding Chardonnay from a great winemaking team.
Joelle Thomson, drinksbiz.co.nz
95/100 Easily one of the best Chardonnay’s you will find in NZ. Bravo – just brilliant.
Steve Leszczynski, qwinereviews.com, AUS
PRIMA DONNA PINOT NOIR 2019
We only produce Prima Donna Pinot Noir in exceptional years, such as this one. It is a blend of the barrels we feel best reflect the vintage and our unique terroir. It mainly comes from our oldest, lowest cropping vines that are non-grafted.
97/100 Immensely complex and seductively inviting … wonderfully weighted palate that’s richly textured and impressively long on the finish. Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz
19/20 Refined yet powerful … good energy and vibrancy … fine grained tannins that will last for years to come.
Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
PRIMA DONNA PINOT NOIR 2013 'Aged Release'
Our aged releases from the blockbuster 2013 season were always going to be very special, and this one is the pinnacle. Last chance to try this beauty!
Outstanding Super balance and integration … singing in the glass!
Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times, NZ
97/100 Awesome depth as well as expansive mouthfeel. Seamless and plush.
Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz
FINALE NOBLE SEMILLON SAUVIGNON 2019
375ml
Finale is a barrel fermented wine in the style of Sauternes and is only made in special years that are favourable to noble botrytis. As with Encore, we selected only the most beautifully botrytic bunches. The juice was then left to ferment naturally in French oak barriques and matured for 12 months.
Dangerously delicious dessert wine … toffee apple, candied citrus, dried mango and honeysuckle … outstanding.
Yvonne Lorkin, yvonnelorkin.com NZ
19/20 Stunning savoury complexity ... full-bodied with amazing depth and concentration and a long zesty finish.
Joelle Thomson, drinksbiz.co.nz
ENCORE NOBLE RIESLING 2017
375ml
Made in a similar way to Aria, however picked later so that all the bunches have fully developed botrytis. The autumn of 2017 proved favourable in this regard.
A wine of great depth, beauty and harmony. Abundant sweetness, good acid spine and an enduring finish.
Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooperwines.com NZ
98/100 Impressive array of flavours, strength, and balance, leading to an incredibly moreish, pleasing finish.
Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
REQUIEM FORTIFIED CABERNET MERLOT MALBEC 2019 - New Release
750ml and 375ml
A rare repeat and not to be missed! We have only made this wine once before, in 2010. A selection of late picked Bordeaux reds fermented, fortified, and then barrel aged for 18 months to produce a complex and full-bodied port style wine.
Only available to our wine club and through the cellar door, it has not been sent out for review, however here’s a snippet from the tasting note to whet your appetite:
“The aroma is deep and concentrated, showcasing a medley of blackberry, doris plum and cassis, melded with fruit cake spice, dried fig, chocolate, and a hint of marzipan. In the mouth the feel is generous and weighty, enveloping the palate with a velvety, full-bodied texture.”
The Truant from Medicine - Ivan M. Donaldson
How a young doctor established Pegasus Bay. Ivan Donaldson's autobiography.
Get in now while stocks last!
Proceeds to the NZ Brain Research Institute.
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