The 2014 vintage began with ideal winegrowing conditions. Warm spring weather promoted strong early vine growth, and flowering at the end of spring saw a perfect fruit set. Summer and autumn continued with the warm and relatively dry weather leading to an early harvest in ideal conditions. But everything changed on the 8th April when the autumn rains came and didn’t stop! Thankfully Rock Ferry’s Marlborough fruit was all in the winery by then. 2014 will be known for clean fruit flavours and bright acidities.

Our aim in the vineyard is to grow the best fruit we can so it can speak of its home and express its personality. To do this you need healthy vines and soil. By practicing organics and incorporating some biodynamic principles we believe we are doing our best to help achieve this and let our vineyards evolve and speak as they would like.

The grapes were harvested in the cool morning and the juice cold settled for 48 hours prior to racking to stainless steel tanks and a portion (15%) to seasoned oak for ferment. Cultivated yeast was used for the tank portion while indigenous yeast was used for the oak portion. The wine was then racked and left to mature on fine lees for 4 months before bottling.

Vineyard: The Corners and Orchard Vineyards, Rapaura, Wairau Plains, Marlborough.