Wither Hills Pinot Noir 2020

Sourced from our two stunning estate Pinot Noir vineyards, Benmorven and Taylor River, each site was hand-harvested at optimum ripeness and kept separate. Rich brooding aromatics full of dark wild berry fruits, alluring toasty spice and subtle earthy undertones blend together in a concentrated Hedonistic bouquet delivering the hallmark Wither Hills Pinot Noir style which, if patient, will reward cellaring for up to 12 years.

Established in 1994 and named after the landmark Wither Hills range that borders our vineyards, our expert team grow and craft exceptional wines that reflect our unique sense of place. Complex and full of character - this is the beauty of Marlborough in a glass.

Wither Hills winery lies in the shadow of the majestic Wither Hills, part of Marlborough’s southern landmark range. Our vineyards are strategically sited throughout the Wairau Valley sub region of Marlborough, producing exceptional Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir – varietals that are synonymous with this verdant terrain. Our state-of-the-art winery incorporates both innovation and tradition in our winemaking such as our traditional basket press for Noir. We’re committed to sustainability through our Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand certification, local conservation initiatives, and organic farming practices. Our hands-on approach and meticulous attention to detail ensures that our wines are crafted beautifully, just like the setting around us, and reflects our Tūrangawaewae (Māori for “place where we stand”).

The 2020 season was characterised by warm temperatures and very little rain. Growing degree days (measure of growth days) were higher this year when compared to the long-term average. Weather over the flowering period was good with minimal rain and wonderfully warm temperatures. This continued right through the growing season of December to March. Harvest began slightly later than 2019 and the weather was almost perfect with only 21mm of rain across the whole harvest period. Yields were in line with long term averages. The onset of the Covid 19 pandemic had a slight impact on logistics, but the team adapted to keep safe while still ensuring that fruit continued to flow into the winery while capturing the vineyards at their optimum ripeness level. Harvest finished mid-April. This year, thanks to the great weather we had over harvest, all of the varieties look absolutely beautiful and again showcase that quintessential Marlborough style.

Our two stunning Pinot Noir vineyards, Benmorven and Taylor River, and our newly replanted Wrekin Road make up the majority of this blend with the fruit for this Pinot Noir coming from Marlborough’s famed ‘Southern Valley’s’ sub region. Vineyards were harvested at optimum ripeness and kept separate throughout the winemaking process to provide the greatest possible individual expression. The fruit was cold soaked in fermenters, inoculated with selected and wild yeast strains, basket pressed and left to relax for 14 months in French Oak Barriques, during which the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine was then blended, egg white fined, filtered and bottled, resulting in a classically elegant yet opulent mouth-filling Marlborough Pinot Noir.