All the grapes from this wine are from our Dry River Estate vineyard, with the majority from our first planted vines in 1979. These are dry-grown vines yielding very small bunches and berries. The idea is for this wine to transcend varietal archetype, where the wine is the wine, standing outside its category.
We want to bring you a distinctive Dry River expression of Pinot Gris. The wine is perfect to enjoy young with food, but will further improve over the next five years.
Wet stone, mineral notes and riper characters of kiwi fruit, pears and stone fruit greet the nose. Further complexity is driven by long maturation on lees in old oak barrels, bringing out cashew nuts and a touch of cream and vanilla. The palate is seamless with transparent tannins and densely-packed fruit that brings the focus to middle and finishes effortlessly.

2024 - Bright and fragrant, this Pinot Gris opens with vibrant notes of orange zest, warm apricot, and a whisper of ginger, layered with delicate green melon and soft pear. A subtle floral lift, reminiscent of wildflowers, enhances the bouquet. On the
palate, rich, pastry-like phenolics create depth and texture, evoking the comforting warmth of a crackling fire. A touch of residual sugar lends a silk-like smoothness, while hints of popcorn and brown sugar add contrast and structure to its opulent breadth. The finish is indulgent and lingering, leaving an irresistible, moreish allure.

Iridium is a dark and juicy red with great structure for drinking now and it's a keeper. It is made from The Boneline vineyard's and some of New Zealand's oldest Cabernet vines, which grow at the winery's natural amphitheatre on the banks of the Waipara river, which is a heat trap during North Canterbury's dry summers. This site is well suited to ripening late growing grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. All grapes are hand picked, hand sorted and slow fermented before being matured for 18 months in French oak.

VINEYARD - The fruit from this wine was sourced from a single Waipara Valley vineyard.  The fruit is left on the vine to ripen until the berries start to lose moisture and shrivel, concentrating the flavours and producing a rich style of Pinot Gris. 

SOIL TYPE - Alluvial gravels

WINEMAKING - The fruit was hand-picked and meticulously hand sorted. The juice was fermented warm by indigenous yeasts in aged French oak barriques.

TASTING NOTES - Wonderfully fruited and fragrant, the bouquet shows mango, golden peach, poached pear and rich floral aromas, leading to a splendidly flavoursome palate offering opulent fruit flavours with spicy nuances, finishing long and delicious. Gorgeously styled with rich tones of ripe fruit intensity backed by juicy acidity. Sam Kim - Wine Orbit.