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..

Hand picked low yielding vines producing a wine with increased intensity of aroma, flavour, texture and length. Hand picked and fermented with indigenous yeast and matured in French oak for two years..

Savoury and spicy with superb fruit concentration and structure, Kiwa Pinot Noir is one of Escarpments Insight Series wines, made to highlight exceptional individual sites within Martinborough. The fruit comes from the Cleland vineyard, anchored on deep alluvial gravels of the Martinborough terrace; producing low yields of concentrated berries. Vinification takes place in open top wooden casks before undergoing maturation in approximately 30% new French oak barriques for 12 months.

This 20ha vineyard was planted on red clay loam soil at Woori Yallock in 2001 by Lou Primavera, with whom Giant Steps has a long-standing grape-supply relationship. Pinot Noir (114, MV6 and G8V3 clones) grown here on the north and north east facing slopes at 230m is noted for its complex structure and pronounced perfume. The 114 and MV6 are fermented as whole bunches in open vats, while the G8V3 is destemmed, given a long cold-soak and fermented separately to enhance its aromatic contribution. All ferments use indigenous yeasts and the whole-bunch components are periodically foot-stomped to release additional juice. The wines are pressed to 228 litre, French barriques (about 8% new) for 11 months before blending and bottling without fining or filtration.

The nose displays aromas of raspberry and herbs with an attractive earthiness. The palate shows red berries, pomegranate and some lovely forest floor characters. A fine tannin profile and bright natural acid lift provide great depth and structure to the plate. The beautiful acidity suggests this.

An enticing wine that will awaken your senses from the very first encounter. Leather, boysenberry and sweet spices combine. The supple palate with its transparent flavours of red fruit and earthy textures leads to a finish that is both balanced and intriguing.

The vineyard has great capacity to create aromatic wines with high natural acidity.This style shows plum skin, blueberry & morello cherry that weaves into a long savoury finish.