written by Philip Amps
The grape Pinot Noir’s natural home is Burgundy but this notoriously fickle grape variety has found a new home in New Zealand. The industry and wine writers are now getting hugely excited by the wines produced there. As Burgundy prices continue to rise, now is the time to explore wines that match the quality of Burgundy, at prices substantially cheaper than the famous villages of Burgundy.
Pinot Noir thrives in the cooler southerly regions: Wairarapa, Marlborough, Nelson, North Canterbury and Central Otago. The huge diversity in climates and soils produces a wide range of styles but they all have structure and elegance overlaid by power and fruit-driven intensity. For me, the closest rival to the sought-after Cote de Nuits region of Burgundy is Central Otago, where I’m particularly fond of Folding Hill, a small estate run by husband and wife team, Tim & Nikki Kerruish.
Tim and his wife Nikki, both doctors, moved to New Zealand from the UK, and, as all natives do, they decided they needed a batch (a holiday home). They found a beautiful site in Central Otago with only sheep grazing the land. Having built a tractor hut on the land they noticed vines being planted on the neighbouring land, so they had their soil tested and were told it would produce great Pinot Noir. Vines were planted and the great adventure started…
Over the last twenty years, I have been lucky to visit the family on three occasions and see the vines mature. A beautiful house has now replaced the tractor hut and the final piece of the jigsaw is that they are about to begin building their own winery on site.
When Tim mentioned that he was planning a trip over to the UK, I eagerly invited him to host a tasting for you to meet him and taste his wines. I am looking forward to welcoming Tim to Oundle next month. The wines are fabulous… we’ll be showing Estate Chardonnay 2021, Estate Pinot Noir 2020, Orchard Block 2020, Cellar Release Pinot Noir 2014 (which we will have only a small amount of soon) plus Tim is bringing another older Pinot Noir from his cellar over with him, which will be a real treat. Please do join us for this evening to because you will see just why Pinot Noir from NZ is getting me, the industry and the wine writers hugely excited. It will be relaxed and informal, so feel free to bring your own nibbles to pair with the wines, and please bring your own pen.
An Evening with Folding Hill
Friday 17th October, 7pm
Oundle Market Place Store
£15 per person
You can book tickets here.
I hope to see you there!
