Escarpment, Kiwa 2018

Grown on the Cleland Vineyard Cambridge Road, Martinborough from 30 year old vines. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for and a blend of Clones UCD 5 and 6 always rewards us with savoury, complex, spicy wine. It was open top fermented using indigenous yeasts in traditional wooden cuvees, hand plunged every 12 hours, with a total vat time of 21 days. After pressing it was matured in 40% new French oak barriques for 18 months. It was fined to protect the flavours and aid brightness in the glass. Bottled without filtration.

Escarpment KIWA Pinot Noir, by Tim Bourne winemaker

Martinborough is a wine-producing area in the southern part of New Zealand's North Island. It lies around 55 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of the capital, Wellington, and is one of the three main subregions of the greater Wairarapa wine region. The viticultural focal point of the region is the Martinborough Terrace – a raised plateau of alluvial gravel just north of the town that has been forced up over time by tectonic movement. The free-draining nature of this soil is excellent for viticulture because it limits the hydration of the vines, leading to stress. These stressed vines put their energy more into producing small, concentrated berries than leafy foliage, increasing the quality of the grapes and subsequently the wines. Martinborough enjoys a relatively dry climate due to the rain shadow of the surrounding hills. The area is climatically quite similar to Marlborough, with a coastal influence. High sunshine hours, low rainfall and cool nights assist in ripening the grapes and adding character to the wines.

50% whole clusters, with destemmed fruit on top. Wild fermented, in Vat for 21 days before gently pressing to tank and transferring to French barriques - 40% new. 18 months in oak before blending and bottling without filtration.