POTAGER PINOT GRIS 2026

A new perspective on North Canterbury from Dom Maxwell. Two-time New Zealand Winemaker of the Year, multiple Decanter and IWC trophy winner and the winemaker behind Forager, Dom has spent much of his career exploring what North Canterbury can deliver when vineyard, season and winemaking are allowed to speak with clarity. Potager is the next part of that story.

Where Forager works at the scale of individual vineyards – limited-production Chardonnay and Pinot Noir built around specific sites and Dom’s distinctive vineyard-fermentation approach – Potager takes a broader view of North Canterbury.

The wines are drawn from carefully selected, low-cropping vineyard parcels across the region, planted with vines between 25 and 40 years old. They are made with the same attention to provenance and season, but with a different purpose: regional wines built around freshness, perfume, texture and drinkability.

Winery notes (2026 Vintage)
"Fruit comes from 25-year-old vines grown predominantly on sandy loam and clay, with a smaller proportion of loess over gravels. Naturally small berries provide a high skin-to-pulp ratio, contributing greater aromatic intensity, texture and depth. Fermentation takes place entirely in stainless steel at 15–17°C, followed by four months on full yeast lees before blending.

Pear, apple and white peach lead a layered aromatic profile, lifted by sweet lemon blossom and subtle exotic, musky notes. Lees ageing builds shape and texture through the palate without obscuring the variety’s freshness, while the wine’s lower alcohol and low pH preserve focus, energy and precision. The result is a dry, composed style with finely judged weight and a long, juicy finish."