Waipara West - Two Terrace - Pinot Noir 2016
Waipara, a recognised viticultural region in North Canterbury, is situated north of Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. Waipara West is the trading and brand name of Tutton Sienko Hill, a family partnership of Paul Tutton, Olga Sienko, Vic Tutton and Lindsay Hill. They purchased Waipara West in 1989 knowing that, although it was an unsuccessful rabbit infested, sheep farm, it had a combination of factors suitable for the production of quality grapes. The vineyard is situated on sunny stony north facing terraces along the Waipara River some seven miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and nestling in the foothills of the Southern Alps. The members of the family are part of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, which provides a framework for the best viticultural practices to protect the environment while efficiently producing premium grapes; no insecticides, residual herbicides or artificial fertiliser are used.
Two Terrace is a second wine of Waipara West and is made from hand-picked Pinot Noir. Individual parcels were destemmed without crushing into small open-top fermenters. The fruit was soaked until natural fermentation commenced before a selected yeast strain was inoculated to carry on and finish the fermentation. During this time, the ferments were worked to extract tannins appropriate to fruit weight and intensity. Parcels then went to barrel where only 5% new oak is used, and 20% in one-year-old barrel. The wine then spent 12 months in barrel.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir