Complex layers of dark berries, earth and minerals seamlessly blend with notes of tobacco, mocha and hints of earth and spice rack. Balanced and rounded tannins lend a silken texture to the wine which is kept in proportion with vibrant acids and cleansing minerality.

Founded in 1991, Felton Road is located in the Bannockburn appellation of Central Otago, New Zealand. Its first vintage, 1997 was met with immediate critical acclaim, and the winery has continued to build its reputation as a producer of balanced, elegant wines in the world’s most southerly wine growing region. The wines – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling are produced from the estate’s 80 acres of vineyards, divided between three sites – Elms Vineyard, Cornish Point Vineyard and Calvert Vineyard. All three vineyards are farmed biodynamically. Winemaker Blair Walter’s experience in Oregon and Burgundy has stood him in good stead, teaching him to coax the best out of the property’s vines. His wines show polish, sophistication, complexity and exceptional depth of fruit.

Technical notes

Situated just over the hill from Felton Road, the vineyard soils at Cornish Point are classified as ’moderately deep, fine, sandy loams,’ and planted with 18 different combinations of Pinot Noir rootstocks and clones. Offers quintessential Pinot Noir expressions with a New Zealand twist.

Producer

Felton Road wines is located in Bannockburn, Central Otago in New Zealand, the most southerly wine growing region in the World. Here, vineyards are nestled into small microclimates totally surrounded by high mountains, many of which are snowcapped all year round. These microclimates consistently combine hot days, cool nights and long dry autumns: perfect for the creation of fine Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. The latitude of 45 degrees south is similar to the Willamette Valley in Oregon and some of the finest wine regions of France. At Felton Road, our philosophy is to let the fruit speak for itself: gentle handling, as little intervention as possible. Our wine is given a helping hand to express itself rather than moulded into an artificially created winery style.