OUR WINES
Licence - 51/OF/009/2014. Mahana Hills Vineyard. Exp 16/04/2021. View licence.
Vintage Notes
FRENCH OAK BARRELS
We use 228L barrels from Tonnelerie Rousseau and 350L barrels from Tonnelleri billion.
TONNELERIE ROUSSEAU
Since its creation in 1954, the Rousseau cooperage has always based its strength on the same strong values: maintaining tradition, the love of a job well done, the constant pursuit for quality, which led, a to the ISO 22000 and PEFC accreditations. It is no coincidence that the cooperage trained 10 Best Craftsmen of France including Julien Rousseau, the founder, his son Jean-Marie and his grandson Jean-Christophe.
​We use two types
PIANO
Double toasting method MLNo intended complex woodiness with this type of toasting
Accentuates fruitiness, style and soil
Underlines fruitiness, develops freshness
Dynamic end notes in the palate
ALLEGRO
Double toasting method M+
Developed empyreumatic aromas
(roasted coffee - toasted bread- mocha)
Oak extraction encouraging wood/wine exchanges of tannin and aromatic agents
A harmonious blended character, with slight toasted notes
Supple and full bodied tannins
Neutralises undesirable molecules
TONNELERIE BILLION
Billon barrels have received the CTB (Centre Technique du Bois) stamp of approval, which guarantees to wineries and consumers around the world that these barrels meet the highest standards of quality in the industry. Of the more than 40 cooperages in France, only 8 cooperages have been certified by CTB.
TEMPRANILLO
Black cherry spice and leather with an early minerality. Tempranillo which has for years been the backbone of the famous Spanish wine Rioja has emerged as a world player in its own right. Nelson mimics the Spanish and Portuguese climate and is producing a unique wine of its own.
Three hundred vines in five short rows planted November 2008.
2018
Bud burst 29 September (wet winter)
Hand picked 17 March
Entered Oak barrel 24 April (Tammy)
Availability FOR SALE
2019
Seriously hot dry summer. with no irrigation vines were unhappy and volumes were very low although intense concentrated flavours.
Bud burst 15 September
Hand picked 17 March
Entered Oak barrel 23 April (Kate)
2020
Hand picked 22 March 2020
Entered Oak barrels 01 June 2020 (Tammy)
2021
Hand picked 27 March 2021
Entered Oak barrel 09 Sept 2021 (Ida)
GAMAY NOIR
You will recognise Gamay Noir as the grape of Beaujolais, a cheeky young wine fermented and consumed early. However, in the Southern Hemisphere it has responded to the respect it has been given by rewarding us with a delightful wine hinting of cranberries and wild berries enhanced by the finest French oak.
In 2022 we took a new direction and leaned into the French style of making Beaujolais. This involves carbonic maceration a technique of not crushing the grapes but letting them ferment whole which enhances the young fruity flavour typical of the region. This wine spent 12 months in French oak.
In France the young wine made bottled and drank in the same year is called Beaujolais Nouveau. This wine was so young and fruity we bottled it immediately once fermented and cheeky called it Gamay Nouveau. You will taste the difference immediately compared with the more traditional vintages.
tempranillo gamay noir tempranillo gamay noir tempranillo gamay noir
Three hundred and fifty vines were planted in November 2009.
2019
Seriously hot dry summer. with no irrigation vines were unhappy and volumes were very low although intense concentrated flavours.
Bud burst 15 September
Hand picked 17 March (yes really same date)
Entered Oak barrel (Jacky) 23 April
2020
Hand picked 22 March (just before COVID lock down)
Entered Oak barrel 01 June 2020
Full bodied and full of flavour from maturing vines
2021
Picked 27 March 2021
Entered barrel (Ida) 09 sept 2021 (still in barrel)
2022
Picked 19 March 2022
Entered barrel (jacky) June 22
Bottled July 23
2023
Picked 28 March 2023
Entered barrel June 23
Bottled early in July 23
SEMILLON
Traditionally hiding behind the more famous white varieties Semillon is a another variety that has moved from France to establish its own name in the new world. Here its dry fruity flavours are winning followers all over. It was traditionally blended with Sauvignon Blanc and we discovered 20 rogue varieties of Sauvignon Blanc in among our Gamay Noir so we are producing God's own blend.
Three hundred and fifty vines were planted in November 2010. By accident the vineyard received fifty Sauvignon Blanc vines so these are fermented with the Semillon to create a more fascinating complex wine "Gods blend". These two grape varieties that together have been likened by wine critics to Lennon and McCartney. Sauvignon blanc supplies the high notes with its bright racy fruit and Semillon sings a more minor key infiltrating sauvignon's happy outgoing nature with a subtle, more sombre mood. Unlike the reds, the grapes are crushed and pressed within 24 hours and cold stabilised by spending the winter in vats outside.
2014
Bud burst 22 September 2013
Hand picked 04 April 2014
Bottled 21 September 2014
Availability SOLD OUT
Once again we knew we were experimenting with fruit from young vines but we induced a malolactic fermentation to the Semillon this year. After a winter outside for cold stabilisation the result is a softer wine with a darker colour reflecting the maturing vines. The acidity is on the high side which will allow it to cellar well. Australian experience with this grape has found that the wine has reached its full potential at about five years old.
2015
Bud burst 24 September 2014
Hand picked 28 March 2015
Availability FOR SALE
2016
Bud burst 22 September 2015
Hand picked 27 March 2016
Availability SOLD OUT
2017
Any vineyard will remember 2017. We were fortunate that we were small enough to pick the one day it didn't rain. Many weren't so fortunate.
Bud burst 22 September 2016
Hand picked 01 April 2017
In steel cold stabilising
Availability FOR SALE
2018
Bud burst 02 October 17 (wet winter)
Hand picked 17 March
Entered Oak barrel 24 April (Kate)
Availability FOR SALE
2019
Seriously hot dry summer. with no irrigation vines were unhappy and volumes were very low although intense concentrated flavours.
Bud burst 15 September
Hand picked 17 March (yes really same date)
Entered Oak barrel 23 April (Kate)
Availability 2021