Cracroft Chase Vineyard

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".

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.”

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

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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.

Visits:
By appointment only.
Owner:
Blue Sun (NZ) Limited - Alessandro and Wilma Laryn

Contact details:
110 Shalamar Drive,
Cashmere,
Christchurch 8022
New Zealand

tel: (+64)(03) 337 9339; fax: (+64)(03) 337 9577
Alex: 027 2288 682; Wilma: 027 2738 666

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