Style
Red
Type

Still

Winemaker

Takahiro Koyama

Varieties

Pinot Noir

Viticulture

This Pinot Noir comes from the oldest vines on the estate. Planted in 1991 on the eastern slopes of Waipara Valley, the aged vines have truly tapped into the limestone deposits in the hills of Mountford. Vines sit at 100m above sea level on a gently sloping plot.

Farming

Sustainable

Terroir

Topsoil, clay, limestone shingle

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 18 months

Features

Screw cap

Available Sizes (L)

0.750

Distribution Area

Delaware, New Jersey, and New York

Shelf Talkers

Tech Sheets

Tasting Note

A beautiful scarlet appearance and aromas of plum, cumin seeds, and tulips. On the palate this wine has an abundance of red and black currants with a salty minerality and very soft, chalky tannins to finish.