Bell Hill Vineyard, Shelf Pinot Noir, Canterbury, New Zealand , 2020

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

Pinot Noir is planted across multiple multi-clonal blocks, each treated as an individual parcel in the vineyard. This approach allows close observation of vine performance, fruit quality and site expression on a block-by-block basis. Separate harvesting decisions are made for each parcel, reflecting differences in ripening, structure and potential, and supporting the long-term evaluation of single-parcel expressions.

Winemaking

Each Pinot Noir parcel is vinified separately, beginning with processing into fermenting vats. Natural yeasts from the vineyard are used, with small parcel-specific starters developed after processing. A protective sulphur addition is made at this stage to safeguard the fruit during cold maceration, alongside acid adjustments in the fermenter to stabilise pH and support colour, structure and ageing potential. Malolactic fermentation is completed naturally and in full. Following fermentation, the wine is aged in barrel for 12 months, after which it is sulphured in tank. No fining agents are used, and filtration is minimal or avoided entirely. Only small sulphur adjustments are made before bottling if necessary, preserving the wine’s integrity and sense of place.

Tasting Note

The Shelf Pinot Noir 2020 is initially closed but luminous, with flashes of wild forest strawberry, herbs and savoury spice emerging from an earthy core. The palate is cool and finely drawn, led by blue fruit, linear tension and subtle spice. With air, blackcurrant, forest floor and leather come through, revealing depth, quiet sweetness and a touch of bitter chocolate. Still very young and structurally firm, this is a profound, site-driven wine that will unfold over many years – the Shelf speaking clearly in its own voice.

Food matching

Roast quail with wild mushrooms, Venison carpaccio with shaved truffle, Roast beetroot, goat’s cheese and walnut salad.