Waipara West Two Terraces Pinot Noir 2020

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.

Each clone was hand-harvested and kept separate until final blending. The fruit for the 2020 harvest was all de-stemmed except 10% which was fermented as whole-bunch. The fruit was ambient soaked until natural fermentation started which averaged about 5 days. Total time on skins for this vintage was an average of 21 days. Parcels were then run to barrel taking only light lees. New oak was minimal (20%). The barrels were racked clean and the wine put together in early March and returned to old barrels for a further 7 months (total -17 months in oak) before being lightly filtered before bottling.