Spring was dry to start the growing season and late frosts in early December threaten but did not impact and fruit set was great. Some rain during the growing season in January provided plenty of nutrients and juicy weight to the fruit. A hot and dry summer delivered a harvest as smooth as can be with continuous fruit supply keeping the winery busy. Overall, we received slightly above average yields with optimum quality fruit.

The grapes were picked at optimum fruit ripeness to ensure delicate fruit flavours and particular attention was placed on good acid sugar balance. The wine was treated in traditional methods, i.e. no sulphur so subtle oxidation (the reverse of methods for treating our table wines) yet one can still pick up the reasonably strong Marlborough fruit characters. The wine was fermented in stainless steel before undergoing a full malolactic fermentation. The Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier parcels were kept separate before blending just before tirage (the addition of sugar and yeast to start secondary fermentation). The wine is then aged on lees in bottle for a minimum of 18 months before disgorgement.