Seifried Estate Aotea Pinot Noir, Nelson

Description

Seifried Estate Aotea Pinot Noir is a 100% Pinot Noir from the New Zealand wine-growing region of Nelson. This is a barrel selection of parcels of fruit that the winemakers consider the best Pinot Noir from the vintage.

The Aotea wine range, labelled as Aotea by The Seifried Family represents the “best of the best” of the wines that the family produce. The fruit is harvested from single vineyard Estate grown vines. The wines offer texture while maintaining the varietal character of the grape and wines with depth and finesse.

Established in 1973, Seifried Estate is a family-owned winery nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s sunshine capital, Nelson. Austrian-born Hermann Seifried and his wife, New Zealand born,  Agnes planted the seeds of their legacy in the Moutere Valley between Nelson and Motueka, pioneering the region’s fine wine production. The first 2 hectares of vines planted included 14 different Vinifera varieties which were all grafted on to phylloxera-resistant rootstock. This meticulous approach ensured long-term success and disease resistance. 1976 was the first harvest, with five distinctive varietal wines being made and at that time wine sales were entirely mail order and through cellar door.

Today, Seifried Estate owns over 320 hectares of established, sustainably accredited  vineyards across ten locations. Their dedicated team has grown to include 35 permanent winery and vineyard staff, alongside a further 10 personnel managing domestic sales and marketing.  This commitment to growth ensures Seifried’s legacy continues to flourish. All three of Hermann and Agnes’ children now work in the family business.

The wine-producing region of Nelson, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, offers pristine conditions and, along with specially selected north facing vineyard sites, offer a range of soils from free draining gravels to heavy alluvial clays and a climate tailor-made for growing richly varietal, elegant wines. Still, frosty winters, long dry summers, cool autumn nights combined with the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand.

The fruit for the Seifried Estate Aotea Chardonnay comes from the fmaily’s Rabbit Island and Brightwater Vineyards. The Rabbit Island vineyard is situated on a wide river flat. The soil is gravelly sandy loam which is very sandy and free draining. The Brightwater Pinot Noir vines are grown in an extremely stony area of the vineyard where water and nutrient levels are low. The ‘soil’ is a combination of rocks and boulders, which is essential for retaining the warmth of Nelson’s sun for ripening.

The Pinot Noir grapes for Seifried Estate Aotea Pinot Noir were hand picked in March at the pinnacle of ripeness. The grapes were taken to the wine straight away where they were destemmed and moved to open-top fermenters. A three day cold-maceration period preceded inoculation for fermentation. During the ten-day primary fermentation, the grape must was gently plunged by hand twice daily. Subsequently, a five-day post-fermentation maceration period followed. Once pressed, the young wine was transferred to French barriques, where it underwent malolactic fermentation and aging. Finally, in June 2020, the wine was blended and bottled.

The name Aotea is derived from “Aotearoa”, the Maori name for New Zealand meaning “Land of the Long Cloud.”

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.