Trophy for Champion Red Wine of the Show – Aotearoa Regional Wine Awards 2025
Trophy for Champion Syrah – Aotearoa Regional Wine Awards 2025
Gold Medal – Aotearoa Regional Wine Awards 2025
Winery notes (2024 Vintage)
"A fragrant aroma of violet, black cherry and blackberry. Notes of black pepper, 5 spice and cocoa with a hint of thyme and a subtle sanguine edge. This is a beautifully balanced and complex wine with dark berry, sweet prune and cocoa powder and black olive flavours supported by a silky textured palate with firm but fine-grained tannins, and a hint of vanilla oak giving this Syrah great structure and a long black cherry finish. This wine will cellar gracefully for several years. Preferred drinking time from late 2025 till 2037 or beyond.
Whole bunches are destemmed and partially crushed. We aim for about 20% whole berry in the tank. After several days the ferment is started and kept under 30°C. Regular pump-overs will keep the cap submerged and extract the fine skin tannins present in this wine. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank during maceration. The wine undergoes elevage for 12 to 14 months in a mix of barriques and puncheons, it is racked once before bottling the year following harvest. We use French oak of which 50% is new."
5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, October 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"A wonderful expression of the variety, the enticing bouquet presents dark fruit richness, cake spice, potpourri, and roasted hazelnut aromas. The palate is plump and fleshy with excellent weight and flow, splendidly framed by silky texture and layers of polished tannins. Firmly structured and harmonious with a persistent, satisfying finish. At its best: now to 2036."
Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, November 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"Delicious, focused and concentrated with a black currant and Doris plum core, layers of fruit and barrel spices with clove and vanilla then a smoky barrel quality and complexity. Taut and dry, a palate squeeze from tannins and acidity saturated with flavours of dark berries, plum and spices, a light dark peppercorn and new leather quality adding length and detail. Well made with best drinking from 2026 through 2034."































