Waipara West Ram Paddock Red North Canterbury 2014

Waipara West vineyard and winery is owned by the Tutton Sienko & Hill family partnership, and occupies a distinctive site on the north bank of the Waipara River, with free-draining river gravels, clay-loam soils, and a warm, sheltered microclimate ideal for premium viticulture.

The owners purchased the property in 1989 knowing that, although it was an ‘unsuccessful rabbit infested, sheep farm’, it had a combination of factors suitable for the production of quality grapes. Being further inland and higher than existing Waipara vineyards, it was hotter and less frost prone due to natural air movement caused by the river and the sloping terraces.

Today, their hard work and commitment has paid off, and the estate is known for its expressive Pinot Noir, aromatic whites such as Riesling and Pinot Gris, and structured Bordeaux-style reds.

Ram Paddock Red is grown in a natural amphitheatre on the south bank of the Waipara River on terrace of free draining silt loam over ancient river gravels. The vines here are mature and the fruit characterful. The grapes were hand sorted in the vineyard and de-stemmed and soaked for up to a week pre-ferment. Once the malolactic ferment was complete the wine was pressed and settled in tank before running off to 30% new Bordeaux coopered oak where the wine slowly matured for 15 months.