Greystone Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2022

Greystone’s vineyard was first planted in 1999, on the slopes of Omihi Limestone formation near Waipara. The region has a temperate maritime climate, with cold winter. However the area also enjoys warm Nor’wester during summer and autumn, which helps grapes to reliably ripen every vintage. The Estate vineyard yields mainly Pinot Noir, but also significant amount of Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling. Greystone’s vineyard had been organically farmed since 2014, and became certified organic producer from 2018 vintage. Altogether with the winery, it had also became the first certified Toitū vineyard (carbon neutral) in New Zealand from 2022.

The vines of Pinot Gris are grown on the flat blocks at the west of the vineyard, on windblown loess and clay soils. Two Pinot Gris clones are used, 2/15 and 2/21, both originally from Giesenheim, Alsace, France.

When it comes to picking, the decisions were made, with consideration to maximize fruit expression whilst still maintaining the delicate balance between ripeness and acidity. The fruit was gently pressed with only the free run juice going to tank, yet a small portion being run to neutral French oak barrels. A slow cool fermentation followed to ensure a purity of fruit. The wine is then aged on yeast lees for approximately 3 months to add texture and mouth feel. Both parcels of wine were then blended together adding different layers of texture additional complexity to the finished wine before being estate bottled here at the Greystone vineyard.

The wine is semi-dry, it comes with a dryish taste on the palate, and medium-full bodied expression. The palate also has richness and weighty flavours of ripe yellow stonefruits along with subtle tropical fruit elements, exotic florals, unfolding honey notes. Mineral and nutty detail add interest. The palate has weight, body and presence, but retains a degree of elegance with integrated acidity, the wine carrying smoothly along a fine line, leading to a full, lingering, dry finish of rich stonefruits and exotic florals.