Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir 2021

Kupe is made entirely from the home block first planted in 1999 and situated on Te Muna Road. The alluvial gravels on the Martinborough Terrace provide a distinctive character that sets a benchmark for New Zealand Pinot Noir.

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.

100% Abel clone picked over two days; the fruit was fermented in open top fermenters using indigenous yeast. They were hand plunged once daily for a total vat time of 31 days.

After pressing the wine was aged in 42% new French oak barriques for 19 months, creating a wine with ripe flavours and soft tannins. Bottled without fining or filtration.