Escarpment Pinot Noir

There are very few wines in the world like New Zealand’s Pinot Noir single variety wines, specifically those from the Wairapa region: their rich flavour, warm texture, aromas and depth make Pinot Noir from this region almost a religion. And as part of this religion, we want to recommend a real show: the Escarpment Pinot Noir.

A flagship red wine from the house and one not to be missed. There is not much more to say about this winery and their red wine, grown in the best vineyards of Te Muna Road (a sub-region of Martinborough). From the south of New Zealand’s North Island, this winery has been working for more than 35 years to showcase the spirit of this land in the heart of the Huangarua River valley, whose winemaking potential was only discovered in the 1970s. Previously, it was simply an enclave that served as a support for the surrounding farmland. But all this changed when its well-drained loam soils and dry, temperate climate showed what it had to offer.

Escarpment Pinot Noir is harvested by hand and taken to the winery, where it is processed and vinified with minimal intervention. After fermentation, where extractions and very gentle pumping over are carried out, Escarpment Pinot Noir is left to macerate in contact with the skins, devatted and pressed to separate the liquid from the skins. All of this will last about twenty days. After this, Escarpment Pinot Noir is aged in French oak barrels for about eleven months and another seven months in stainless steel tanks before bottling without filtering or clarifying.

Winemaker Tim Bourne and viticulturist Rowan Hoskins are the creators of Escarpment Pinot Noir. A work of art that you won’t want to miss.