Amarone, classic wine from the Valpolicella region, is a new, exciting venture for the Pieropan family. It comes from the desire to test our skills with the Valpolicella zone, which though a neighbour of Soave, is very different and completely unique. It stems also from the desire to make a top red wine, both rich and structured, but also elegant and fine in line with the whole Pieropan range.

The Producer

The Pieropan Winery in the town of Soave is one of Italy's most accomplished and critically acclaimed of all wine estates in the country. Soave has been produced here since the early 1900s, and their versions, ranging from a classic offering as well as two cru (single vineyard) versions are routinely considered among the finest Soaves of the entire production zone.

For many years, Leonildo Pieropan managed the estate, and in doing so helped preserve the huge quality of Soave, all this while many producers released simple, inexpensive versions that too often typified this lovely Italian white wine. Thanks to Pieropan and a few others artisans, Soave could still be characterized as one of Italy's finest whites, one that could age for a decade or more when treated in a proper fashion.

Sadly, Leonildo Pieropan passed away in 2018 at the age of 71, having worked 50 harvests in Soave. Today his sons Andrea and Dario continue their father's passionate work not only with Soave, but also with a few local reds such as Valpolicella and Amarone.

Texture is an edgeless velvet with a slow deep river flow that delivers complete and rounded flavours from the first sip.  A universe in your glass.

Those flavours may include nut or caramelised apricot.  Smokey, cherry, cinnamon, dried manuka and dark chocolate.  You'll know immediately that you are on - feel, flavour and length envelop the senses and linger, transporting you somewhere opulent.

The wine to accompany your dinner with Agent Smith as you decide to sell out your species and plug back in to the Matrix.

Unfined, unfiltered.   Hand-harvested.

Single-vineyard, premium Pinot Noir.

Subtlety, depth & gravity - reflecting the play of the season, the land & the people who worked it.

Dark cherry, vanilla & mushroom.  A sense of black liquorice strap & nutty/spices.    

Rain & sun were fickle.  But when we needed it ... "C'mon, gissa smile Sun", from Sun O by Hone Tuwhare.  And he did!

Unfiltered, unfined.  Hand-harvested.

Michael Cooper, Jul 2025  (★★★★★)

The delicious 2024 vintage is the middle-tier Pinot Noir (above Moss Oaks and below Premium Reserve) from this producer at Opaki, in the northern Wairarapa.  Deeply coloured, it is weighty and notably rich, with highly concentrated, well-ripened cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing excellent complexity, finely balanced tannins, and a lasting finish.  Likely to be long-lived, it's well worth cellaring to 2029+

Perfectly sized for modern life - Radiates gold and tastes of flame-caramelised pineapple.  Flavours, tannins, and acidity have the balance and poise of a prima Ballerina.  Creamy texture with a full court-press presence and a long finish.  Dry. Beautiful.  

For the kitchen, table, deck, couch, or blanket.  Wherever you take your little luxury.

Hand-harvested.  13.5% alc/bv

Perfectly sized for modern life - Brilliant ruby colour.  Juicy, savoury deliciousness. Ripe cherry and plum with twings of spice, nut and dark chocolate.  Black tea tannins.  Premium Pinot Noir. Made for contemplation and unwinding.

Unfined.  Unfiltered. Hand harvested.    13% alc/bV

From 1.15 hectares of southeast-facing limestone vineyards planted between 1970 and 1994 at 820ft elevation, this elegant wine matures for 9–10 months in oak, with 25% new barrels. Delicate and refined, it offers bright fruit-driven character and graceful structure. Approachable in youth yet capable of short-term cellaring, it pairs beautifully with Charolais beef.

Goisot Côtes d’Auxerre Rouge 2023 shows a vibrant, cool-climate Pinot Noir profile with bright red cherry, wild strawberry and subtle cranberry fruit. Fine floral notes of violet and rose sit over a distinctly limestone-driven mineral backbone. The palate is fresh and elegant with fine tannins, lively acidity and a gently savoury, earthy finish that reflects its northern Burgundy origins region.

Paquet Victoire Pinot Noir 2023 is a bright, supple red showing lifted aromas of cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, with subtle floral and earthy undertones. The palate is medium-bodied and silky, driven by fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Gentle spice and a touch of forest floor add depth, finishing clean, elegant and refreshingly vibrant on the finish with mineral lift.

An excellent bouquet of purity and finesse, with aromas of white peach and nectarine layered alongside lemon curd, subtle brioche, and a whisper of toasted hazelnut. A gentle thread of flinty minerality and saline freshness weaves through the nose, complemented by delicate floral notes and a touch of spice from well-integrated oak. On the palate, a dry wine with medium+ intensity, showcasing stone fruit and citrus flavours framed by fine acidity and a creamy, poised texture. The oak is understated yet supportive, adding complexity without overshadowing the fruit, while a mineral backbone and hints of struck stone speak clearly of site and season. Harmonious and precise, with a long, refined finish and excellent structure for ageing. Best drinking from late 2026 through 2035.

Made from Godello grapes and showing racy citrus and saline flavours.

Made by Al and his pal, Nacho Alvarez

A blend of Dijon clones 115 and 777 and the Abel clone.
A savoury, smoky blend.

93 Points — Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
“A little bronze and ruddy in the glass. Maturity showing its hand in charcuterie, autumn leaves, mushroom and truffle characters with dried cranberry, cinnamon-stewed plums and dark chocolate. Soft texture, a swishy and pleasingly relaxed feel to taste, a long finish with licks of truffle, sweet earthiness and some dried fruit and nut characters. In a good place, but best drunk about now.”

This wine is the approachable easy going face of Minervois. Blend of Carignan and Grenache and just a tiny amount of Syrah, the wine is softer and much easier drinking than you might expect Minervois to be. Rustic charm by the bucket load but it also very obviously a well made wine. 

 40% Carignan, 40% Grenache, 20% Syrah

Aromas of rich Black Doris plum, fresh blackberry and Xmas spices, with a hint of sweet French oak. Powerful yet elegant and precise in the mouth showing perfume, spice and dark ripe fruit. The tannins are ripe and chalky and balance beautifully with the intense fruit and spicy seam that runs through the wine. It is vibrant and youthful with an elegant acid backbone that lends itself to wonderful aging potential.

Our grapes were grown on a hillside vineyard with views over the Tukituki river, and old riverbed vineyards, inland of Has-tings. In 2020, we had a very warm, dry and settled season. A warm summer and a dry Autumn produced some stunning Hawke’s Bay wines. The yields were kept low to maximise colour and intensity and come from MS, 470 and Limmer clones of Syrah that each offer a unique expression.

Most of the fruit was completely destemmed into open top tanks and left to sit for up to seven days until it began to fer-ment. We have included a small portion of whole bunch to offer greater structure and increased floral aromatics. We initially pumped over or plunged gently and then with gusto as it fermented. Primary ferment lasted for around eleven days, then the wine was held on skins for up to a total of 25 days. It was pressed and run to the cellar to be aged in French oak barriques through winter before it went through malolactic fermentation in spring. The wine was then rested until blending on the 3rd June 2022, before bottling unfined.