THE SEASON

Cooler and windier conditions during Spring meant lower crop levels, keeping fruit thinning to a minimum. The weather gods then handed us the opposite during Summer, with a warm and settled state prevailing, so this smaller crop was able to mature beautifully. Autumn was similarly favourable, allowing each variety to be picked at its optimum ripeness. Our 2024 harvest saw smaller yields across the board, but as a result we were blessed with intense fruit flavour and concentration, delivering some outstanding wines.

THE HARVEST AND WINEMAKING

Aiming for a classic Alsatian style with a North Canterbury twist, the fruit was harvested in stages over several weeks to optimise the grapes’ range of natural flavours. After picking, they were gently pressed, and the juice fermented in stainless steel tanks at a cool temperature to retain varietal purity and freshness. The wine was then given a short period of ageing on its natural deposit of yeast lees (sur lie), prior to bottling. At all stages, from fermentation to bottling, the wine was handled very carefully to help it retain a little of its naturally dissolved carbon dioxide. This may result in a small amount of spritzig when first poured, accentuating the freshness and liveliness of the wine.

THE WINE

Pale gold in colour, the nose is vibrant and intensely aromatic. Tropical tones of lychee, cantaloupe melon and nashi pear, crest temptingly in a sea of perfume, floral and spice. Rose petal and honeysuckle awash the senses, infused with sage leaf, root ginger and droplets of almond nougat. The sprightly mouthfeel is texturised with ripe phenolics, balanced beautifully by fractional sweetness and a core of perky acidity, leading to a satisfying and structured finish.