Sherwood Estate, Stoney Range, Pinot Gris, Waipara, New Zealand, 2022

Producer Profile

Pioneers of the Waipara Valley the Sherwood family have been working this land for over 30 years.

Waipara is a region with great potential that is still to be realised fully, with greater extremes of frost and warmth than its close neighbours, Marlborough and Nelson. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are a special focus here with a fresh regional style of their own. Perfect counterpoints to some of the more famous regions of NZ.

Viticulture

Fruit was harvested from the Pilgrim and Terraces vineyards in the heart of the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury.

Winemaking

A complex concentrated wine that is a real favourite to make, as it combines a number of different winemaking techniques on individual parcels of grapes which are later blended together. Some of these portions are fermented as whole berries (carbonic mac-eration) another in small oak barrels, another uses oxidised grapes. Just some of the techniques that build complexity into the wine.

Oak Ageing

Time: 3 Months
Type: French 225 Litre
% wine oaked: 5
% new oak: None

Tasting Note

Careful fruit selection, cool fermentation and extended lees contact has produced a Pinot Gris with intense pear and peach aromas with hints of elegant florals. The wine has a smooth mouth-feel with refreshing length and finish.

Food Matching

Slightly spicy Asian/Pacific dishes