Sherwood Estate, Sherwood Pinot Noir, Waipara, New Zealand, 2021

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

The winery is fully accredited under the Sustainable Winegrowers New Zealand guidelines. Sherwood Estate’s overriding vineyard philosophy revolves around the word balance, which is imperative for Pinot Noir which is their passion. Sherwood Estate has always had an obsession with Pinot Noir and their five vineyard sites in the Waipara Valley each has its own unique soils, climates and idiosyncrasies which give great scope for producing distinctive regional style wines.

Winemaking

4 tonne open top ferments, 5 day pre-ferment maceration followed by an indigenous ferment, hand plunged 1 to 2 times per day, 21 – 28 days skin contact, lightly pressed to barrel for 5 months prior to blending and bottling.

Oak Ageing

Time: 5 months
Type: French Dominoes
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 10

Tasting Note

Rich plum and earthy tones with a hint of toasty oak on the nose. The palate has a lovely sweet entry, which builds in the mouth, supported by ripe and silky fruit and oak tannins.

Food Matching

A perfect accompaniment with spring lamb.