Bell Hill Vineyard, Old Weka Pass Pinot Noir, Canterbury, New Zealand ***On Allocation***, 2019

Producer Profile

Bell Hill Vineyard is a boutique winery situated in the Weka Pass area of North Canterbury.

Established in 1997 by Marcel Giesen and Sherwyn Veldhuizen, the vineyard is on the site of a former limestone quarry that imparts unique characteristics to the resulting wines, which are known for their elegance, complexity, and longevity. The Pinot Noir exhibits layers of ripe red and dark fruits with fine tannins, while the Chardonnay offers flinty complexity and a tight structure that evolves beautifully with age.

Viticulture

The Old Weka Pass Road Pinot Noir is a multiple barrel blend from select barrels of the Slope and Quarry 10/5.

Winemaking

The handling on skins is the same as for the Bell Hill, the proportion of whole bunch was 41% and the wine had 87% new French oak.

Tasting Note

Aromatic and expressive, the nose reveals deep layers of cool blue fruits intertwined with hints of red florals. There's a graceful richness—not overpowering—complemented by baked spices and subtle herbal undertones that invite further exploration. The palate shows impressive tension and focused acidity, carried by a saline thread and a lingering lavender finish. Concentrated and powerful, with mouth-coating tannins, the wine maintains remarkable freshness and vibrancy from start to finish.

Food Matching

Duck breast with cherry and thyme jus or wild mushroom risotto.