Red dry
A single-vineyard wine from New Zealand that captures the precision and elegance of Central Otago. This is a wine where mountain freshness, organic viticulture, and Felton Road’s perfectionism come together – a ‘Pinot Noir’ that speaks of terroir rather than technology.
The aroma reveals rich notes of cherries, blackberries, and blueberries, complemented by wild herbs, dried roses, and subtle smoky nuances. The bouquet is deep, pure, and composed – expressing both fruit intensity and Burgundian finesse.
On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with a smooth, velvety texture, firm yet polished tannins, and vibrant acidity. The flavor combines ripe red berries, gentle spice, and a long, dry mineral finish with delicate earthy undertones.
The grapes are grown in the Calvert vineyard, located just a few hundred meters from the legendary Bannockburn village. The soil consists mainly of fine clay, and the vines are farmed biodynamically under Demeter certification. Harvesting is done by hand, and the grapes are carefully sorted and fermented with native yeasts.
Fermentation is carried out to preserve the subtle fruit character and structure. The wine is aged for about 13 months in French oak barrels (approximately 25 % new), maintaining a balance between varietal purity and gentle oak influence.
Serving recommendation: Serve at 16–18 °C with duck breast and cranberry glaze, veal medallions with mushroom sauce, or mature hard cheese such as Gruyère.
Felton Road is a small, family-owned estate that has become one of the most internationally acclaimed producers of New Zealand ‘Pinot Noir’. All of the winery’s vineyards are located in the prestigious Central Otago region, within the north-facing Elms Bannockburn Vineyard. Since 2000, strict organic and biodynamic viticulture standards have been applied here, ensuring maximum terroir expression and sustainability.
Head winemaker Blair Walter honed his experience with ‘Pinot Noir’ in Oregon (USA) and Burgundy, bringing classical winemaking expertise and meticulous attention to detail to Felton Road. All grapes are harvested exclusively by hand. The winery’s unique three-level gravity-flow design, integrated into a hillside, allows all production processes to be carried out without pumps. Fermentation is done only with indigenous yeasts, and the wines are neither fined nor filtered to preserve their natural flavour and structure.
According to renowned wine critic James Suckling, “If Central Otago could be compared to Côte de Nuits, then Bannockburn would be like Vosne-Romanée, and I can confidently say that Felton Road is comparable to the legendary DRC.”
Felton Road wines stand out for their natural purity, precise structure, and exceptional expression of terroir. They are balanced, elegant, and age-worthy.
Red wine – predominantly made from ‘Pinot Noir’. Aromas are dominated by red and black berries, floral notes, and spices. On the palate, soft tannins, fresh acidity, and a long-lasting finish prevail. With age, they develop complex earthy, forest floor, and dried fruit nuances.
White wine – made from ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Riesling’. ‘Chardonnay’ offers minerality, citrus and ripe fruit aromas, and subtle oak influence. ‘Riesling’ is vibrant, fresh, and marked by balance and aromatic purity.
All Felton Road vineyards are farmed biodynamically, maintaining a natural balance between soil, plants, and the environment.
Elms Bannockburn Vineyard – the main source of ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Chardonnay’, renowned for its clay, gravel, and limestone soils, which give the wines elegance and structure.
Other Bannockburn parcels – add complexity to the style and provide additional aromatic nuances.
The wines are matured in oak barrels, with the proportion of new oak carefully controlled to avoid overshadowing natural fruit expression. Aging time varies by style – ‘Pinot Noir’ is typically aged for 13–18 months, and ‘Chardonnay’ for about 12 months.
Felton Road wines are delightful to drink young, but the finest ‘Pinot Noir’ examples can gracefully age for 10–15 years, retaining their balance, aromatic depth, and elegance.
