Our new winery of the month for April is Mount Edward, situated at the base of the mountain of the same name, in the heart of Central Otago's original wine region - the Gibbston Valley.

Who started it?

The winery was founded by Central Otago wine pioneer, Alan Brady, a man many credit as the godfather of Otago wine because he also founded Gibbston Valley Wines after ditching his career as a television journalist in Dunedin and he has since also created his Wild Irishman brand. His original aim was to find a more balanced life in the majestic mountains of Central Otago but in wine, he discovered much more besides that - he founded three powerful brands in the world's southernmost wine region.

Who owns it now?

Today Mount Edward winery is owned by John Buchanan and Duncan Forsyth, a pair of Pinot and Riesling devotees,  who have carried Brady's original vision to new levels with their certified organic wines and high quality winemaking focus. Pinot Noir and Riesling were initially the key focus at Mt Ed, but now there's a bunch of diverse, quirky whites, including top notch Chardonnay, dry Chenin Blanc, textural Gruner Veltliner and zesty Pinot Blanc. 

This month, Mount Edward is our key wine display in store

Every week this month we will shine the spotlight on two Mount Ed wines...

2021 Mount Edward Rosé

RRP $27.99 Special $25.99

Lively, refreshing, dry and light in body as well as colour which comes from gentle whole bunch pressing over five hours to retain a little colour. The juice was fermented in stainless steel at ambient temperatures with wild yeasts, which add a savoury tang to the fresh summer berry flavours of strawberries and raspberries, intertwined with the freshness that gentle acidity brings to this wine. Certified organic.

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2019 Mount Edward Pinot Blanc

RRP $26.99 Special $24.99

Pinot Blanc is a fabulous alternative to Chardonnay and this one is made with grapes grown on the Morrison Vineyard at Pisa in Central Otago. It's just off dry, medium bodied and has balanced flavours of stonefruit and a creamy smooth mouthfeel with a lingering note of minerality and citrus combined with spice and pear on the finish. 

All grapes were hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and fermented at cool temperatures using a mixture of wild and introduced yeasts. The finished wine was fined before filtration. It's a citrusy zesty white wine, great at lunch time or on a sunny afternoon. 

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2016 / 2017 Mount Edward Gruner Veltliner

RRP $31.99 Special $27.99

Gruner Veltliner is an Austrian white grape which is now growing in a handful of vineyards in New Zealand, such as in Central Otago's Morrison Vineyard at Pisa - home to this wine. 

Flavours in this wine are of white florals, white pepper, and stonefruit which follow through onto the palate where spice and pear notes are underpinned by minerality and refreshing acidity. This wine drinks well now but can be cellared with confidence for a further two to four years.

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2019 Mount Edward Morrison Vineyard Pinot Noir

RRP $74.99 Special $69.99

Special single vineyard wine made from the Morrison Vineyard in Central Otago. Winemaker Duncan Forsyth describes Morrison Vineyard Pinot Noir as a total sleeper, a taut wine that delivers concentration and power which belies the initial impression. He describes this wine as the quintessential, cliched steel fist in a velvet glove.

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2019 Mount Edward PIsa Vineyard Pinot Noir 

RRP $74.99 Special $69.99

Small volume single vineyard wine from upper terraces of Pisa, a sub region in Central Otago. These grapes are always the first to be picked for any of Mount Ed's wines and this wine is all about perfume and aromatic fruit with lifted aromas, a light silky mouthfeel, a full bodied style and dry, earthy flavours.

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2021 Mount Edward Gamay RRP $39.99 Special $35.99

Fruity, smooth, velvety and juicy. This seductive red charmer comes from Central Otago but is made with the great Gamay grape, famous for its starring role in Beaujolais. And, like good Beaujolais, this wine's soft tannins and smooth texture mean it can be enjoyed lightly chilled. 

Vibrant, juicy and fruity. This is a great summer red to serve slightly chilled or a year round smooth and versatile red.

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2018 Mount Edward Clockwork Orange RRP $35.99 Special $32.99

Inspired by wines from Georgia, possibly the oldest wine region on Earth. This is full bodied, funky orange coloured wine made from a blend of Albarino, Riesling and Chenin Blanc, all contributing acidity and zesty qualities which keep it fresh. This is a lighter style than in the past and it spent eight months on skins to gain colour and weight.

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