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Red dry
"Cornish Point" is an old gold miners' settlement located next to the Hartley and Reilly mines, where the first major gold deposits were discovered during the Central Otago gold rush. It was named after the Cornish gold diggers who lived there, and was abandoned in the late 19th century when an apricot orchard was planted on the site.
Today, "Cornish Point" is home to one of the finest Central Otago Pinot Noirs. The 7.6-hectare vineyard is the first to be harvested by Felton Road, as it is a warm site bordered by the Clutha River on one side and the Kawarau River on the other.
The Cornish Point wine offers a restrained nose, with hints of dark fruit, raspberries, roses, vines and crushed herbs. The palate is dense, dominated by black raspberries, complemented by dark petals (roses and vines) and a pleasant whiff of charcoal. The wine has excellent texture, harmony and refinement. This is an expressive and powerful wine from an exceptional vintage.
Serve at 14–16 °C with tuna tartare, duck roasts, grilled sausages or vegetable stews with wild mushrooms.
Aromas of balsamic, spice, plum and dried strawberry. Medium to full body with round and fine tannins showing polish and energy. Salty. Savory and subtle fruit. 7.6 hectares. Very high calcium-based soils. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.
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.
