| Woollaston Estates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Committed to producing high quality distinctive wines, the owners of Woollaston Estates believe that these are defined in the vineyard and subtly enhanced in the winery. Varieties and clones are carefully matched to their vineyards’ sites and soils: Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris on the Moutere clays, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling from the gravels of the Waimea Plains of Nelson. Pinot Noir - their flagship variety - is ideally suited to the warm clay soils of the Mahana / Moutere area. Modern Burgundian clones have been matched to micro-climate in small blocks, densely planted to maintain vine balance. The result is a Pinot Noir with the concentration of flavour that winemakers search for in this variety – a wine that is rich and supple yet well-structured, with moderate use of French oak complementing the fruit but not dominating it. Unique to Woollaston Estates, is a four-level, gravity-fed winery built into the hillside. The winery has been designed for the gentlest possible handling of grapes and wine – particularly important in the production of top level Pinot Noir. The berries are removed from the stalks by a highly sophisticated de-stemmer, the only one of its kind in Australasia. This results in more whole berries and less damaged fruit which extends the fermentation time. By using gravity to move the wine from stage to stage, rather than pumps, we continue the gentle handling, reducing the risk of removing natural flavour components and introducing harsh notes into the wine. Designed by American architect Larry Ferar, the winery is built entirely of concrete and all levels are covered with a ‘living earth’ roof of native tussock and shrubs. As a result the building fits in with the surrounding landscape and maintains a steady, cool temperature, in both summer and winter. While three levels are dedicated solely to winemaking, the fourth and lowest level also has a function room, cellars and tasting room dug into the hillside. The Cellar Door has a picnic lawn with sweeping vineyard, mountain and sea views. There is a small art gallery which features works by Toss Woollaston and other contemporary New Zealand artists. Acknowledged as one of New Zealand’s foremost 20th-century painters, Woollaston lived and painted nearby. |
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| Wines from this Producer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tussock Nelson Pinot Noir | 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wai-iti River Cabernet Sauvignon | 1998 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wai-iti River Pinot Noir | 2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wai-iti River Riesling | 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Woollaston Estates Burke's Bank Sauvignon Blanc | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Woollaston Estates Nelson Chardonnay | 2002 | 2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Woollaston Estates Nelson Pinot Noir | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Woollaston Estates Nelson Pinot Rose | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Woollaston Estates Nelson Riesling | 2006 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Woollaston Estates Nelson Sauvignon Blanc | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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