Tasting Notes:
Our style of Pinot Noir is bright raspberries and red cherries combined with savoury oak (from spending nine months in French barriques) making it extremely approachable, bright and easy to drink. These grapes are hand-picked in the cool of the morning to retain the vibrancy we get from our estate vineyards. Any red meat goes well with this wine, or try it with a cheeseboard!
Concentrated raspberry and red cherry notes are supported by rich savoury complexity. The palate is soft and generous, with notes of wild berries and bramble framed by subtle elegant tannins providing structure and depth.
About Wairau:
Phil and Chris Rose were originally growing lucerne for export to Japan. Then the 1970’s oil shock hit which made the harvesting and drying of lucerne uneconomic. The Roses looked to find an alternative use for their land.
They decided to plant grapes. After battling some major objections around land use, Phil and Chris finally gained consent and started establishing their vineyards in 1978.
In true pioneering spirit, they began hand planting vines and raising a family. After contract growing grapes for some years, they decided to produce their own wine in 1991 and the Wairau River label was born.
After some early overseas travel and adventure, including a stint as a professional abalone diver, Hamish Rose returned home. He has always had an affinity with the land and a love of the outdoors. Planting and nurturing grapes comes naturally to him.
Hamish is Wairau River’s viticulturist and is in charge of managing all the family vineyards throughout the seasons. He works closely with his brother Sam, the winemaker.
