ROCK FERRY ORCHARD VINEYARD PINOT BLANC 2020

Every now and then, a wine comes along that makes you stop and think, “Why haven’t we been drinking more of this?” This is one of those wines.

Pinot Blanc is a rarity in New Zealand, and finding one this seriously well made is even more unusual. We came across it a few weeks ago and it has already become a firm staff favourite.

The secret is in the winemaking. Part fermented in a concrete egg and part in a 500L French oak puncheon, then aged on lees for 10 months, this is Pinot Blanc with real texture, depth and character.

Think ripe citrus, nashi pear and white fleshed stone fruit, layered with subtle savoury and mineral notes. It is beautifully dry, vibrant and generously textured, with a long finish that keeps you coming back for another sip.

If you enjoy discovering wines that sit a little outside the usual suspects, this one is well worth getting your hands on.

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"Aromas of green tea and white peach, this Pinot Blanc follows through on the palate with a ripe citrus and nashi pear flavours.  A compelling palate that contrasts the fruit characters with texture and savoury notes from the fermentation vessels and time on lees, giving a lengthy textural finish.

The grapes were hand harvested on 31st of March 2020. The fruit was whole bunch pressed where the free run juice settled for 24 hours then racked with light lees. A portion was fermented in a concrete egg with the remainder in a 500L French Oak puncheon. The wine was matured on lees to gain complexity and texture for 10 months before blending, a light filtration, and bottling."

5 Stars Michael Cooper (2020 Vintage)
"Fragrant and full bodied, this powerful, harmonious wine was fermented and lees-aged in a concrete egg and oak puncheons. Vibrantly fruity, with strong stone-fruit flavours, showing excellent depth, vigour and poise, it is dry and well-rounded, with wide appeal."

92/100 Cameron Douglas MS, February 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Aromas of green and brown pears, citrus and apple, some white spice notes and a stone mineral core. Taut, youthful and dry on the palate with flavours of citrus then white fleshed orchard fruits, plenty of acidity and gently warming alcohol forms a solid foundation for fruit and ageing. Well made, ideal for seafood dishes and as an aperitif. Best drinking from 2023 through 2029."