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Wine Information
Harvest Estate was formed to produce wines that capture the essence of Marlborough. From vines located outside of Blenheim in Marlborough, New Zealand, our wines are shaped by the natural expression of this region’s cool maritime climate and the long hot summers that deliver intensity and purity of vineyard expression to the fruit.
Harvest Estate is driven by the passion of two owners to deliver a taste of Marlborough in every bottle.
Michael Gregg grew up in Marlborough during the 1970′s and ’80′s at a time when the local wine industry was just emerging. With family ties, Michael was immersed in the industry as a youngster, working in a large winery before leaving home for Massey University to tackle a Food Technology degree and fulfil his dream of becoming a winemaker. Alas, he was seduced by marketing and fell into an advertising and business career consuming him for over 15 years (but which developed his palate somewhat) . Reconnecting with his roots, Michael is now obsessed again with creating quality wines that represent the unique flavours and taste of Marlborough. Hands on, Michael is working alongside respected winemakers to bring you our Harvest Estate wines from Marlborough.
Isaac Leniston-Howell has served a 20 year long apprenticeship in hospitality and wine appreciation, with front-of-house management roles in some of New Zealand’s top restaurants allowing him access to some of our pioneer winemakers and celebrity chefs. Isaac’s extensive wine travel and industry networks and his own respected wine palate put our Harvest Estate wines through rigorous sampling and testing before every release.
Pinot Noir
Grapes for our 2011 Harvest Estate Pinot Noir were held on selected Marlborough vineyards as long as possible, ripening with dry late summer weather and cool nights. Fragrant and well-rounded with light tannins, this wine is suitable for drinking now through 2015.
This Pinot Noir was awarded a silver medal at the 2013 Spiegelau International Wine Competition.
Harvest date: 2nd April – 28th April 2011
Vineyard: Blocks in Awatere Valley and Wairau Valley
Alc: 13.5%
TA: 6.2 (titratable acidity measured in grams per litre)
pH: 3.7
Residual sugar: 1.0g/l
Tasting notes
This vintage saw it all – late bud-burst, low flowering, warm November followed by rain in Dec/Jan, saved by a long warm Indian Summer so typical of Marlborough. Fruit was harvested at lower than normal sugar levels whilst maintaining phenolic ripeness, leading to ripe red fruit flavours. The grapes for this blend were sourced from blocks in Wairau and Awatere Valley (clones 114/115, 5 and 777 with all clones harvested separately). Parcels were cold macerated at ~7 degrees for 5 days, followed by a fast, hot fermentation, pressed off and then underwent a fairly long malolatic fermentation in older barriques. After a light fining, the wine was filtered and bottled.
The 2011 Harvest Estate Pinot Noir is bight and youthful, a fruity nose of black cherry and rasberries. The flavour is plum and savoury spices, lightly tannic and easy to drink now through the next few years. Try it with New Zealand venison, duck, or a roast chicken
