Maori Point Pinot Noir is a full bodied expression of the hero red grape of Central Otago and named after a bend on the Mata-Au (also known as the Clutha River) where Māori prospectors panned for gold in the 1860s.

The wine brand is owned by two families who grow the grapes and employ experienced winemakers in the region to produce their wines. The philosophy of the owners is to produce high quality wines made from hand picked grapes from vineyard sites with low yields, using wild yeast fermentations, minimal sulphur additions and using sustainable practices as much as possible. This is their quest and the wines are elegant renditions of Otago's edgy climate with its hot summer days and cool seasons on both sides of ripening. 

Two Paddocks Pinot Noir is actor and winemaker Sam Neill's introduction red to his range of wines from Central Otago. It's made from hand harvested grapes which are fermented and matured in French oak barriques. It is 100% certified organic, which reflects the Central Otago wine region's pre-eminence as New Zealand's leading organic wine region - 16% of the region's vines are certified organic with another 7% in the conversion process, which means that by 2023, 23 % of the vines will be certified.

Classy fruit-forward Pinot grown on Upper Moutere clay. The elegant nose offers wild red fruits and brambles that lead to a seductive, feminine palate layered with fine tannins and lifting acidity. 

Te Kano is a Central Otago based winery making stylish, high quality wines. Their Pinot Noir is a supple, fruity wine with raspberry, plum and cherry flavours. Subtle savoury herbal notes bring complexity and elegance. This wine is unfined and unfiltered to preserve its finesse and purity.

Outstanding Pinot Noir from one of Martinborough's first wineries, Nga Waka; a small company with new owners and the same winemaker - founder and former owner, Roger Parkinson. This spicy, full bodied, darkly fruited wine is as elegant as it is power packed with flavour and beauty. It drinks beautifully now and is a definite keeper for at least five years. 

This wine is made using 16% whole bunch fermentation to add structure and accentuate spicy flavour notes with 20% new oak for support rather than dominating the delicate fruit flavours in this excellent expression of Wairarapa Pinot Noir. 

Gamey, savoury, deliciously refreshing Pinot Noir from Martinborough's next new big thing - Te Muna Valley, a dramatically majestic sub region for grapes that is situated 9 kilometres east of Martinborough village. 

Big Sky Wines is on the high alluvial terraces of Martinborough's Huangarua River at Te Muna, 9 kilometres east of the village. Low yielding deep gravels, hot days and cool nights result in wines that are deep and complex. This is their flagship wine from a low vigour, low cropping vineyard.  Hand picked, crushed into two tonne open fermenters with 10% whole bunch fermentation and minimal crushing and with wild fermentation followed by 12 months in French oak, 12.5% of which was new. And therein lies the beauty of this insanely delicious Pinot Noir with its ripe berry fruit flavours of dark cherries and plums, balanced by mouth filling savouriness, warm spice, and silky tannins. 

The Big Sky story

Jeremy Corban and Katherine Jacobs founded Big Sky Wines in the Te Muna Valley, Martinborough, in 2005. They have since expanded their small vineyard, which is predominantly planted in Pinot Noir and also has a little Sauvignon Blanc, which they give extra textural complexity to with a little time in old oak on lees. 

A portion of the proceeds of each bottle of smooth and spicy Crimson Pinot Noir goes towards Project Crimson; a native tree replanting project nationwide in New Zealand, which the Ata Rangi winery is involved in today.

This wine is dry, medium bodied and fruit-led with red and dark fruit flavours leading into toasted spice notes and a lingering finish. It's one of Martinborough's great gateway Pinot Noirs. 

The name Ata Rangi is Maori for dawn sky and was chosen to portray the new beginning that the start of this winery represented for founder Clive Paton in the late 1970s. 

From the esteemed biodynamic Wrekin Vineyard nestled in Marlborough's Clay Soil Southern Valley's.

Undergoing 100% Whole bunch carbonic fermentation this wine is full of deep red and dark berry fruit character, dry yet fruit forward with soft tannins.

Mulberries, red currants, crème de cassis and old-fashioned raspberry notes present a French nouveau style wine – dangerously thirst quenching when lightly chilled and smoothly moorish at room temperature. A wine to be enjoyed now.

A lovely ripeness and aromatic impact, scents of fresh quince and pear then apple and fruit spices. Youthful, vibrant and enticing. On the palate a dry wine with flavours of pomaceous fruits framed by lees and mineral qualities, there’s youthful tautness that gives a palate squeeze and crunch. Salivating, lengthy and well made, a reflection of vintage and excellent wine making. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2028.

93 Points Excellent
Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

Aromatic Pinot Gris is a real treat when it’s as dry and fresh as this vibrant, young white from Blue Earth Estate in Te Muna Valley. All grapes were hand picked and the wine was fermented to less than 1 gram of residual sugar, which makes it absolutely bone dry in taste and style. Flavours of white pears, fresh crisp red apples and a little citrus all run through each sip. Drinks well now and can hold for a further three to four years, evolving in that time but it’s made to enjoy now, so why wait? Joelle Thomson

Commercial description

Single-vineyard, premium Pinot Noir.  

A wine whose character has intrigued us throughout its development.  Flavours flowed and receded throughout ferment.  Texture shifting from weighty to silky.  It was deceptive, multifaceted.  Not to be taken at face value.  This is a princess in overalls.  A poet painting fences.

Lit with a pure bright brilliance in colour. Classic Wairarapa expression - complex savoury flavours on a silky bed of pert & poised acidity & complementary tannins.

For us, flavours evoked include dark cherry, vanilla & mushroom.  There's a sense of black liquorice strap & dark cocoa too.  Whatever you find, very confident you will agree this is sensuous, balanced & complex wine.  Sophisticated & powerful. Worthy of your time.  Will cellar well.

Hand-harvested by neighbours & friends.

TASTING NOTE
This is a highly concentrated Pinot Noir from low yielding vines. This single vineyard wine displays rich dark fruit aromas of cherries and plums together with smoky and earthy undertones. Full bodied with immense depth of fruit flavours layered with forest floor complexity and great tannin structure. The densely layered palate of this wine shows all the complexity and richness of flavours making it ripe yet elegant wine with great structure and a juicy finish.

WINEMAKING
Ripe fruit was hand harvested and completely destemmed, but not crushed, with the aim of achieving a significant percentage of intact berries in the ferment. Grapes were put on cold soak for 4-5 days prior to undergoing wild fermentation. The wine remained on skins post fermentation to optimise tannin extraction whilst locking in the deep, ruby colour. This wine was drained and pressed and then aged in old French barriques for nine months during which time it underwent a complete malolactic fermentation. In pursuit of the highest quality this wine has not been fined.

FOOD MATCHING
Serve alongside a roasted beef or lamb and dark rich gravy and mushrooms. These dishes will complement the rich flavours and complexity of this wine.

CELLARING POTENTIAL
Crafted to be enjoyed within 3-5 years of vintage date.

This Pinot Noir is from block with clay soil, which is planted in 2003. This wine shows full of charming red to dark fruits. A very charming wine to go with food.

A superb lightly oaked Wairarapa Pinot Noir offering all the depth, complexity, structure and wind chiselled savouriness you'd expect.

The nose brims over with red fruit and spice; juicy plum, red currant, autumn mushrooms and dried cardamom.  The palate is weighty but soft and reveals itself over time.