Kumeu River Hunting Hill Pinot Noir

In 1994 the New Zealand winery Kumeu River in Hawke’s Bay (to the west of the North Island’s east coast) planted new Pinot Noir vineyards to produce a red wine as good as its Chardonnay. If the clay soils on a sandstone base had been perfect for these white wines, why shouldn’t they be perfect for a red wine? Only the best Burgundy vines were chosen, planted on very vigorous rootstocks to limit production and grow grapes with greater concentration. This is how Kumeu River Hunting Hill Pinot Noir was born. 

 

For two decades now, this red has only been getting better. Bottles of Kumeu River Hunting Hill Pinot Noir only see the light of day in the best vintages (2016 and 2018 were spent making whites), when the grapes and the harvest are at their best. In total the Brajkovich family owns about 30 hectares of vineyards which are ideal for growing grapes. The soils’ ability to retain water, even during the summer months, allows the vines to remain turgid, able to stay in good condition even during the driest months. 

 

Kumeu River Hunting Hill Pinot Noir grows on the banks of the Kumeu River, and is destemmed and crushed right in the winery. After this, the grape pulp from the harvest is vatted and Kumeu River Hunting Hill Pinot Noir ferments for two to three weeks. During this time, pumping over (between two and three times a day) is essential. Finally, Kumeu River Hunting Hill Pinot Noir spends almost a year aging in barrels.  

 

The result is a very elegant wine, a real gentleman (or lady), from head to toe. No other result is possible from the Pinot Noir. No other result is possible from Kumeu River Hunting Hill Pinot Noir.