Learn
more about
us, and about our vineyard
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Pickers' lunch,
harvest 2008
(Click to view larger image)
The Vineyard:
The vineyard is in a picturesque cul-de-sac valley nestled at the foot
of the Christchurch Port Hills. Between 1998 and 1999, five hectares
were planted with Pinot Gris, on grafted rootstock. Sheltered on
three sides by hills clad in forestry, and fully opened to the
Nor'West, the valley enjoys a special micro climate. The 'U' trellising
system allows air and sun through the canopy, making spraying against
botrytis unnecessary. Summer plucking and harvesting are done by
hand.
The
grapes are processed in the onsite winery, with state-of-the-art
Italian machinery. A combination of lees stirring and malolactic
fermentation adds complexity to the wine The label carries the name
of the original landowners, the Cracroft-Wilson family, settlers
who owned all of the Cashmere area in Christchurch as well as the
hunting chase where the vineyard is located. In this way a little
piece of New Zealand history is preserved. The label name Wood's
Edge refers to the peculiar location of the vineyard. Alessandro
and Wilma Laryn, who immigrated from Italy in 1996, own and manage
the property. Members and friends of the group that tends the gardens
of the Old Stone House and of the Cracroft Residents' Association
provide skilled and heartfelt help in the vineyard.
Wine: Label:
Cracroft Chase Vineyard - Wood's Edge 2006 Pinot Gris
Wine description: It displays ripe aromas of pears and stone fruit,
with a hint of spice. A dry, mouth-filling wine with a long persistent
finish. Alcohol: 14.0%
The
bottles come with the sticker "RECOMMENDED BY WINESTATE
MAGAZINE".
Vintages: 2004 Vintage – sold
out
2005 Vintage – Sold out
2006 Vintage – released September 2008
Reviews:
Michael Cooper, in Buyer’s
Guide to NZ wines 2008, 3 ½ stars “...a fully dry style, fermented
and lees-aged for nine months in tanks (90 per cent) and
old French and American oak barrels (10 per cent). Scented,
with pure varietal aromas of pears and spices, it is fresh,
mouthfilling and crisp, with slightly leesy flavours showing
very good depth. Worth cellaring.”
Winestate Magazine, Nov./Dec. 2007,
under the heading “Michael Cooper’s Recent Releases” 3 ½ stars “Scented, single-vineyard
Canterbury wine with pure pear and spice aromas leading
into a mouthfilling, crisp, dry palate. Slightly
leesy, with very good depth.”
“RECOMMENDED BY WINESTATE MAGAZINE”
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit August 2008: 4 ½ stars
(91/100): “This wine is remarkably fresh
and youthful after two years in the bottle. The nose
has classic European elegance with subtle yet fragrant
apricot and pear characters together with mineral notes.
It has excellent fruit concentration and silky texture
with crisp acidity providing a lovely dry finish. A well
structured and balanced wine ideally suited to partner
gently weighted dishes.”
This vintage won a silver medal at the VinoChallenge
International 2008, Atlanta, USA
Cracroft
Chase Vineyard (Christchurch) won a Silver Medal at
the VinoChallenge International 2008, Atlanta, USA,
with its 2006 Wood's Edge Pinot Gris. "VinoChallenge
International 2008 carried forward a
27-year tradition as the first international
wine competition in the United States.
This world-class competition took place
on September 3 through 10, 2008, and
brought together wines from all major
wine producing countries and a judging
panel that included every stratum of
the wine and food trades plus exemplary
palates from the private sector. This
year was a unique opportunity for the
wine trade and enthusiast, alike."
(Parks Redwine, Founding Director).
The entry is listed on the website www.vinochallenge.com under
the name of the mother-company Blue Sun.
Cracroft Chase is featured on Michael Cooper’s Wine
Atlas of New Zealand, Second Edition, 2008, page 355; more
of John McDermott’s photos on pages 334, 335 and 361.