Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Founded by Tim and Judy Finn (now retired) in 1978 who were pioneers of the Nelson wine industry and Tim Finn was a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing NZ. Their daughter Rosie Finn carries on the family tradition in the role of Sales & Marketing/Director together with winemaker/GM Todd Stevens and viticulturalist Stef Brockley. The focus is on sustainability with the winery run on solar power aided by the fact that Nelson has some of the longest sunshine hours in New Zealand. All estate owned blocks are organically certified and the old vines are dry farmed. All wines are bottled in lightweight glass.

THE VINTAGE:
A wet start to the season followed by a dry, albeit warm spring and summer. February rains provided a challenge close to harvest, but a dry picking window allowed for disease pressures to be managed. A season producing wines of elegance, rather svelte in stature, and approachable.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
Purchased by Tim and Judy Finn in 1978 from descendants of the original German settlers who arrived in 1842, this vineyard is 5.43 ha with original plantings from 1978 of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. The soil is clay and gravel, dry farmed and 100% organically cultivated, with additions of Bokashi compost, undervine mowing with minimal soil disturbance and horticultural oil, sulphur and minimal copper spray inputs. Combination 2 cane and spur pruning to regulate yields and grapes 100% hand harvested.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
On arrival at the winery, the grapes are chilled, sorted and 100% destemmed. Wild yeast fermentation in open top fermenters, at maximum 32C with twice daily hand plunging. 10 months maturation in French oak barriques (20% new), with monthly battonage until completion of natural malolactic (100%), followed by 3 months on fine lees in stainless steel tank.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
Nelson lends itself to sophisticated, savoury Pinot Noir. This is a gentle and graceful Pinot. Vanilla, violets and pink peppercorns are woven together with notes of pomegranate, blueberries and soft acidity. Fine, cocoa-like tannins tie this wine together with elegance and purity. There are seductive, brooding, earthy, visceral nuances throughout this Moutere Pinot. It’s Autumnal and crunchy which keeps it refreshing and restrained.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Pinot Noir 100%.