Our vineyard and winery are Certified by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand ie our grapes and our wines are produced to a nationally-run, annually audited, standard of sustainability. Our aim, through intensive canopy management, low cropping and careful selection of optimally ripe grapes is to create premium, hand-crafted, single vineyard wines which maximise the sensory characteristics of our chosen grape varieties and our unique island terroir.
Optimally ripe fruit is selectively hand-picked and sorted in the cool of the morning into small 10kg bins which are carefully placed in the shade. After weighing in at our winery in the vineyard, the red grapes are destemmed within minutes of picking, either lightly crushed, or uncrushed and fermented in temperature-controlled, small batch (900 to 1500 litres), open-top fermenters, with gentle hand-plunging.
Our wine is matured (elevage) with French and/or American oak and clarified by settling in cellar with 3-4 barrel rackings over 12 -24 months, avoiding the use of any finings. After bottling, the reds are cellar-aged for a further 3-5 years before release. Our Pinot Grigio, Syrah Rose and Sauvignon Blanc are whole-bunch pressed and fermented in long cool ferments with wild +/- cultured yeasts, before ageing on the lees for 6 to 12 months with lees-stirring before bottling.
“Jurassic Ridge wines are suitable for all wine lovers including vegetarians and vegans as NO animal products such as beef skin or pork gelatine, fish protein, egg white or dairy products (eg milk powder) are used in their production – thus Jurassic Ridge wines could be described as ‘natural’ or ‘authentic wines’ (after James Goode), but certainly wines that are designed to reflect their ‘sense of place’.
All are single vineyard wines grown in our own estate vineyards, produced on estate and cellar-aged for 3-5 years before release.”
Jurassic Ridge Cabernet Franc
Intense varietal red berries on the nose, vibrant cherries and raspberry on the palate with this grapes famous floral notes (nuances of violets and lavender), and a dark chocolate finish on the rich and finely-grained, smooth tannins. Perfect with a spicy rack of lamb and redcurrant sauce.
Jurassic Ridge Syrah
Smoky, spicey, earthy cool-climate cellar-aged Syrah with rich black fruit, cassis, black pepper and smooth tannins, after the style of the Northern Rhone. Try with a green pepper fillet mignon.
Jurassic Ridge Montepulciano
Fruit cake bouquet, rich and complex dark berry fruit, huge soft tannins and subtle spice. Food friendly with anything from pizzas to cordon bleu. Styled on Abruzzo Riserva (two years subtle oak).
Jurassic Ridge Syrah Rosé
Distinctive rose with attitude – smooth, dry, refreshing rose with red berry fruit, cherries and pepper. Whole bunch pressed, wild yeasts and long cold ferment. Develops special relationship with roast tomatoes and seared scallops or perfect for a summer’s day on the deck.
Jurassic Ridge Pinot Grigio
Dry, refreshing, Italian style with apples, Nashi pear, spice and ageing to nuts and honey. Whole bunch pressed, long cold ferment and lees-aged. Great with calamari or octopus salad with kumara chips – or just by itself.
Jurassic Terrace Sauvignon Blanc
‘X-factor’ tropical fruit nose with explosion of passionfruit and guava, followed on palate by capisicum and blackcurrant and a long, lingering zesty lemon finish. Whole bunch pressed grapes from our Waihopai vineyard are cold fermented in multiple batches and lees-aged to a dry Sancerre style – a perfect foil for Bluff oysters, any great, fresh seafoods or white meat.