Grasshopper Rock, Earnscleugh Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018

Grasshopper Rock’s Earnscleugh vineyard is one of the world’s southern most vineyards. Established in 2003 and dedicated exclusively to a single vineyard pinot noir. One site, one grape and one wine.

The fruit (clones 5, 777, 114, 115, Abel and 667) was harvested from the 23rd – 31st March 2018. The fruit was destemmed into tanks, to undergo fermentation by a mix of selected and wild yeast. Peak fermentation was 30°C. Total time on skins was approx 21 days. The wine was aged in French Oak Barriques for approximately 11 months, of which 29% was new oak.

One of the world's southernmost vineyards at 45.25 deg south. Gentle north facing slope. Alluvial soils with wind blown loess. Silty, sandy, stony young soils. Semi-arid.

All by hand. Vines planted on 2003.

The wine was aged in French Oak Barriques for approximately 11 months, of which 29% was new oak.