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Kaituna Valley, Banks Peninsula
The idyllic, sheltered and warm Kaituna Valley is the location for two of our vineyards, The Kaituna Vineyard and Bone Hill Vineyard. Kaituna Valley, on Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, is 30 minutes from Christchurch on the main road to Akaroa. The vineyards are surrounded by large, volcanic hills that provide shelter from the cooler winds prevalent on the Canterbury Plains. Both vineyards are located on the toe slope of a north-facing hillside giving optimum aspect for the vines.
The climate is frost-free during the grape growing season. Our old vines have not had a commercially affecting frost in the 33 years of production (touch wood!), although we do get the occasional fright. The microclimate and strict yield control enables us to consistently achieve full physiological ripeness.
We love living and working here – warm, peaceful and charming! We enjoy the benefits of tree-ripened oranges, mandarins, grapefruit and passionfruit. Next door is the famous Kaituna Orchard – if there is a cherry heaven, this is it! Helen and Joshua have been known to disappear in the late afternoons on a PYO (‘pick-you-own”) mission and emerge with happy red smiles and weighing a tad heavier!
Kaituna VineyardOur special home vineyard. We have worked with this property since 1991 so we feel we are just starting to come to grips with the soil, aspect and variations in growth potential. The soil is primarily wind blown loess and silt overlying volcanic parent material. Soil depth and clay content varies significantly and impacts on moisture retention and subsequently canopy growth. The vines are unirrigated.
The Kaituna Vineyard is only 5 acres in area. The “old vines” of Pinot Noir were planted in 1977. At 33 years of age, we believe this is the oldest commercial block of Pinot Noir in New Zealand. We expanded the vineyard in 1997 with plantings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (mainly the new Burgundian clones) grafted on low vigour rootstocks. The Kaituna Vineyard Pinot Noir is a blend of the fruit from the old and new vines. The old vines contribute a rich, savoury, earth and mineral palate, with silky smooth fruit tannins and a long finish. The “new vines” contribute excellent colour, bright fruit flavours and great tannin definition. A great blend for us, the best of both worlds!
Kaituna Valley is a stunning and unique environment and we are thrilled to be custodians of this land. We have had the privilege of producing some very special wines since we started.
The last five vintages (1998 to 2006) have received twenty-two gold medals or equivalent reviews. Each wine since 1993 has received either a silver medal, gold medal or Trophy.
Bone Hill VineyardA joint venture with our neighbour, David Thomas, this new vineyard is immediately beside the original home vineyard in Kaituna Valley. It is planted on a steeper slope with shallow soils and great aspect. The vineyard is beginning to deliver grapes with exceptional concentration and colour. Although only separated by a distance of less than 100 metres the wines produced are distinctly different. Is this terroir at work?!
Summerhill Vineyard
A gorgeous elevated vineyard, situated on a rolling north-facing basaltic spur close to Tai Tapu on Banks Peninsula. Tai Tapu is within easy driving distance from Christchurch on the main road to Akaroa. Spectacular views of the snowy Southern Alps, Lake Ellesmere, and Mt Bradley (the second highest peak on Banks Peninsula) tends to promote long lunches and lacquostious discussions on the meaning of life. The site of our proposed winery and sales outlet with views to die for! …..watch this space!!
At our Summerhill Vineyard at Tai Tapu we are involved in a joint venture with Environment Canterbury to plant our wetland area with native plants. With the growth of the trees and shrubs we are expecting a corresponding increase in birdlife.
Click here to view our Awatere Valley, Marlborough Vineyards
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