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Buy OnlineTerra Sancta’s Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir 2024 has been named the #4 wine in the world by American wine critic, James Suckling, with an extraordinary 98/100 rating. One of only two New Zealand wines to be included in his annual Top 100 wines of the world list alongside its Felton Road neighbour, the Felton Road winery. An incredible achievement – even more so when considering this is not Terra Sancta's flagship wine.
Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir comes off Terra Sancta's Diggings Vineyard on the Cairnmuir side of Bannockburn. Purposefully made in an earlier drinking style, it is approachable yet sophisticated and downright delicious. Velvet in the mouth with bright fruit and sweet herb, the mystery here is how Terra Sancta can make a wine of this quality to sell at these kind of dollars.
Winery notes (2024 Vintage)
"Medium garnet, the nose is fragrant and complex with cherries, cranberries, dark plums and brambles, along with earthy undertones. The palate is integrated and lively showing red fruits, juniper berries, licorice, thyme and savoury notes. With lingering freshness and minerality, this is an elegant expression of Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir.
The Mysterious Diggings vineyard, planted in 1999 with six different clones, is one of the highest altitude vineyards in Bannockburn, Central Otago at 300 metres above sea level. The combination of elevation, northern aspect, steep slopes, multiple clones, original rootstock and sandy soils, consistently produces Pinot Noir that is brightly fruited, accessible and delicious at a young age.
Treated like all our Pinot Noir in the winery, minimal intervention and organic winemaking results in a delightful Pinot Noir with real character. Made with 100% wild fermentation, aging in neutral French oak barrels provides additional texture and inviting spice on the finish."
98/100 James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, October 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"You might be surprised, but our No. 3 and No. 4 wines – the Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte du Py 2023 and Terra Sancta Pinot Noir Central Otago Bannockburn Mysterious Diggings 2024 – are around $25 (US) a bottle. They’re stunning wines… I visited Terra Sancta two weeks ago and the vineyards were among the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, with organic and regenerative viticulture.
Incredibly intense aromas of cherries, strawberries, peaches, melon and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied with creamy, open-grained tannins and a juicy finish. Refreshing, vivid and vibrant. A pinot noir for today. From a mix of clones on their own roots planted in 1999 and farmed organically."
