Peregrine Riesling, Cental Otago, South Island, New Zealand

Description

Peregrine Wines is located amongst the rugged mountains and lakes of Queenstown, Central Otago, in New Zealand’s South Island. The region is the closest they have in New Zealand to a continental climate. Peregrine’s prime focus is on growing premium Pinot Noir and white varieties from their estate-managed vineyards. These are all meticulously hand-tended and farmed under a sustainable philosophy.

Peregrine has its vineyards in the two top regions of the area, Gibbston and Cromwell. These areas typically produce intensely flavoured wines of finesse and elegance with the predominantly schist soils adding mineral complexity.

From modest beginnings in 1998, the label has grown from a “virtual” operation to a modern winery containing lots of stainless steel, oak barriques and diligent (sometimes sleep-deprived) employees. The winemaking approach, however, has always been along traditional lines with minimal intervention to let the unique fruit flavours of Central Otago do the talking.

They make excellent Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc but are primarily known as Pinot Noir Specialists. Their winery design is an architectural marvel, resembling a bird in flight.