Pinot Noir ‘The Rise’

Winemaker

Takahiro Koyama

Varieties

Pinot Noir

Viticulture

From 16-year-old vines planted on active limestone soil. These vines sit on a steep slope at 120m above sea level.

Terroir

Thin topsoil over active limestone

Ratings & Reviews

Vineyard

The vineyard is set in a park-like environment on the North West face of the Waipara Valley’s eastern hills below the Teviotdale range. Dubbed the golden mile, as the aspect gains high amounts of light and heat. The soils, which are marl (active limestone), add a fine minerality to the finished wines. Vineyards are planted from spacious 2.7m x 1.2m through to high density 1.8m x 1m rows. Since the first plantings New Zealand viticulture equipment has adapted to enable higher density planting particularly beneficial to pinot noir and chardonnay.

The property sits at Latitude 43 with an Elevation 93m / 305ft above sea level (midpoint of the property). While high up on the limestone slopes with a stunning out look across the Waipara Valley the estate does not escape frosts. Each spring they must take on Jack Frost to protect the vines by circulating warm air from an LPG burner behind the tractor. Canopy management is vigorous with the aim of keeping the constant spring and summer growth open and light – letting the nor-westers and North Canterbury sun keep the vines disease free.

Vinification

Mountford Estate follows a policy of watchful, non-interventionist winemaking. A combination of new and traditional techniques and technology are used. Mountford Estate has transitioned to using native yeasts, low sulphur, and aim to finish their wines with no fining or filtration whenever possible. Wild fermentation over 6 weeks to produce this Pinot Noir. Bottled unfined and unfiltered

Aging

100% old French oak for 24 months

Available Sizes (L)

0.750