It’s this trade-off of acid for tannin that makes pinot noir so food friendly. Pinot works well with salmon and ocean trout, their (Omega 3-rich) oiliness lapped up by pinots exuberant acidity and is the perfect red with soft brie-style and washed-rind cheeses, coming into its own with blue cheese. Try a soft Saint Augur cheese from the Auvergne with the Celsius Pinot Noir for a new flavour sensation.

Driven to create one of the new world’s great cool-climate vineyards, it took Mike and Claudia Weersing 15 years and a quixotic global journey that included a lengthy stopover in Burgundy before they found their perfect site. Inspired by the climate and soils of that region, the duo finally found their special place in the limestone-rich soils of Waikari in North Canterbury. From here Mike and Claudia established Pyramid Valley and emerged as NZ pioneers of both biodynamic practices and high-density viticulture. For almost 20 years they inspired and/or challenged all those who came into their orbit. Their minute scale and exceptional dedication to their soils and vines led to some incredible wines being produced. First visiting the vineyard in 2007, Steve Smith MW (then of Craggy Range) was one of many affected by what he describes as one the most compelling and unique vineyards he has ever visited. When Mike’s health went into decline, the Weersings were forced to sell and Smith and his partner Brian Sheth acquired the estate in late 2017. The spectre of Burgundy is writ large over the foundation and ethos of Pyramid Valley, yet we should not expect imitations in terms of the style of the wines. Rather they have their own very distinctive style and energy, and this is precisely as it should be with terroir-driven wines; uniqueness is the point. In 2018, Pyramid Valley became a two-property estate when it purchased the Manata vineyard in Central Otago’s Lowburn sub-region. The team quickly applied their precise viticultural standards to what was already considered one of the greatest sites in the region. In just three years, Paulin and his team have doubled the organic matter in the soil and achieved organic certification through BioGro NZ. They also immediately recognised the potential of the block they now call Snake’s Tongue—a nod to one of the many common names used for blue borage: Viper’s (snake’s) bugloss (ox-tongue). Fermented in an open-top concrete tulip, with 25% whole bunches and as much whole berry as possible, the wine matured in 25% new 500-litre puncheons for 12 months, followed by a further six months in neutral oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

This wine has plenty going for it, including all those delicious flavours that make Kiwi Pinot adored across the world. It's a concentrated but elegant wine with dark cherry aromas with complex notes of mocha and cinnamon. Luscious bramble, cherry and spice give generous length to the palate.

Lake Hayes wines by Amisfield are made in an early drinking style with a fresh, fruity appeal. Deeply coloured and packed with sweet ripe fruit aromas of blackberries, Doris plums and juicy cherries with a touch of spice. A generously flavoured Central Otago Pinot.

Central Otago Pinot's are generally more user-friendly than Burgundy; Rabbit Ranch is very soft fruit-forward style with soft tannins; best enjoyed young.

A Central Otago Pinot with earthiness and depth to wallow in. The pristine cool-climate along with long sun drenched days allowed the fruit to ripen magnificently and produce aromas of deep red cherry, blackberry and cocoa. In the mouth the Squealing Pig is rich and generous with velvet like tannins and a wonderful, long finish.

The enticing Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir shows a bright purple-red hue, and offers scintillating aromas as well as juicy flavours of red cherries. These flavours and aromas integrate with fresh and clean fruit characters on the dense palate, to provide a soft texture, as well as a long and enticing finale. With a cellaring potential of 1 to 6 years, this delicious red wine tastes amazing with mushrooms, fruit-based sauces and roasted chicken.

A Central Otago Pinot with earthiness and depth to wallow in. The pristine cool-climate along with long sun drenched days allowed the fruit to ripen magnificently and produce aromas of deep red cherry, blackberry and cocoa. In the mouth the Squealing Pig is rich and generous with velvet like tannins and a wonderful, long finish.

One of the most exciting discoveries we made from a trip to New Zealand last year. Coal Pit is located in the Gibbston Valley sub region of Central Otago. Perfumed with violets, the nose is lifted and aromatic. Vibrant mid palate of black doris plum, wild herb, coffee and cassis backed by silky tannins and well integrated spicy oak. Take our word for it, you will not regret it..