This winery retains its cult status by continually producing wines of poise, class and adhering to strict biodynamic principals. The Bannockburn Chardonnay is at this stage pert and linear, with floral and citrus notes. It will take a little time for this little gem to begin to give up its secrets.

Clonakilla are famous for Viognier, but in two different guises. One as the compliment to the exceptional and etheral Shiraz Viognier that has catapulted Tim Kirk to winemaking fame around the world, the other as this wonderfully textured and veluptuous white wine. Full-bodied with potent honeysuckle, pear, ginger and apricot aromas.

Beginning with mineral grapefruit and flinty notes on the nose, this wine opens up superbly on the palate. Long, deep and subtle in flavour with crisp acid which completes a fine example of the style.

Deep Woods Estate Reserve Chardonnay gives aromas of fresh stone fruit and citrus blossom combining with warm straw, cedar spice and chipped oyster shell. The Palate displays pure and elegant stone fruit, lime zest and jasmine. A fine acid backbone combines with lees-derived texture to produce a wine of depth, and complexity with an underlying minerality.

Yabby Lake Chardonnay is a fine, elegantly structured Chardonnay which is still developing. Subtle, toasty oak provides a background for the citrus and white peach flavours and the acidity lingers and extends the finish.

Quartz Reef Pinot Gris exhibits flavours of ripe pear, peach and marzipan with a rich texture and an off-dry mineral finish. Colour is lemon gold. Aroma is nutmeg, honey, ginger and white peach. The palate is rich and textural with a delicious fine acidity. Cellaring is 3-5 years.

Many class Ata Rangi as the quintessential 'New World' Pinot Noir, the best example of the variety outside of Burgundy. It's hard to argue when you let the supple, dark berry and spiced fruit pass your lips. Considered 'Grand Cru' in New Zealand, Ata Rangi was awarded the inaugural Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa classification, cementing its pedigree.

The colour of gold struck through with green, this Riesling shows classic lime and mineral aromas with a touch of gooseberry. Rich and full-bodied, the citrus and tropical fruit flavours are underpinned by crisp acidity.

The grapes for the wines that carry the Mt Difficulty Bannockburn label are subject to two strict criteria: they are managed under the umbrella of the Mt Difficulty viticultural team and must be sourced from vineyards situated on the South side of the Kawarau River at Bannockburn. This Pinot noir displays lovely elegance and flow with striking precision and clarity. On the palate it kicks off with a supple dark berry entry, moving into a beautifully textured plush mid palate, after which fine elegant textural tannins frame fruit and acidity on a lengthy finish.

Tightly structured and made for the long haul. Freycinet Pinot Noir has the classic dark cherries and forest berries aroma with balanced acidity on the palate.