Main Divide Rosé 2022

Upon release it has a pretty salmon pink hue. The nose is soft, fragrant and full, packed with aromas of red currant, strawberry, rhubarb and grapefruit, intertwined with flecks of white peach and a touch of elderflower. In the mouth it is dry and finely textured, supported by a seam of lively and refreshing acidity. The complementary varieties ensure the wine remains fleshy and supple, while also adding aroma and structure.

The vineyard is located within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, on free draining, north facing terraces carved out of New Zealand’s Southern Alps by an ice-age glacier. It benefits from being in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, giving maximum protection from the Pacific’s easterly breezes and thus creating a unique mesoclimate. The vines are over 30 years old, with a large proportion planted on their own roots. The soil is free draining and of low fertility, resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour. This produces low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of this unique terroir. The vineyard has warm days, but the nights are amongst the coolest in the Waipara Valley, drawing out the ripening period of the grapes, while still retaining good natural acidity.

Carefully selected grapes from a unique assemblage of complementary varieties were harvested to make this wine. The free run juice was given a small amount of skin contact to add some colour. Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel vats at a cool temperature to retain varietal purity and freshness, with the wine being bottled shortly after.