Vineyard of the Year – New Zealand Organic Wine Awards 2023
Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Drawing from Gibbston Valley's most intriguing vineyards, the Single Vineyard range gives full voice to site. The Bendigo subregion of Central Otago has a diverse array of vineyards nestled in the foothills of the Dunstan Range. Glacially-carved land has created spectacular slopes from which our best single vineyard wines are drawn.
The China Terrace Vineyard is located in the Bendigo subregion of Central Otago. Gently sloped and north facing, it has 4 clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay planted over some 7 hectares. Being over 320m, it retains a coolness relative to Bendigo’s natural warmth. This, and the complex accumulation of loess, clay and schist in its soil, gives wines of fresh, bright complexity.
Range of whole clusters in ferments (0-100%), 40% overall. 10 months in French oak, 20% new. Spicy red fruits with a full structure and savoury charm."
Reviews for previous vintages below…..
Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, November 2020 (2019 Vintage)
"Complex, varietal, fruity and alluring scents of dark cherry and dried raspberry, dark red apple skin and baking spices of oak. There’s a mineral layer with scents of stones and silty loess. On the palate – equally complex and concentrated with vibrant and precise flavours of red berries, plums and baking spices reflecting the bouquet. Toasty new barrel layers, medium+ acidity and firm tannins provide for texture and foundation. Well made, youthful and ready to enjoy from 2021 through 2029+."
5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2019 Vintage)
"From a gently sloping, high-altitude Bendigo vineyard. Ripe, intense, pinot noir with plum, red cherry, dried herb, subtle red rose petal and smoky oak flavours. A stylish complex wine with cellaring potential."
5 Stars Michael Cooper (2019 Vintage)
"Estate-grown at altitude (320 metres above sea level) in the China Terrace Vineyard, at Bendigo, the graceful 2019 vintage was hand-picked and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (33 per cent new). Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, rich and sweet-fruited, with highly concentrated, very youthful cherry, plum and spice flavours, excellent complexity, and ripe, supple tannins. A lovely young red, it’s well worth cellaring to 2023+."