Our Wines
Waipara River Estate specialises in producing a select range of premium, boutique, artisan wines using grapes from our own estate vines as Single Vineyard Releases. We obtain Merlot for our Cabernet Merlot from the neighbouring Mackenzie Vineyard. We are fortunate in not being pressured to release our wines until they are suitably matured.
From 2009-2012, our winemaker was Kym Rayner of Torlesse Winery. At harvest time, to ensure premium quality wines, viticulturist Gwyn Williams liaised closely with Kym to ensure our grapes were picked at their optimum for sugar levels (brix).
Riesling and Gewürztraminer are machine harvested and are immediately crushed and fermented as juice in stainless steel tanks.
Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are all hand-picked. They are juiced with skins on and fermented in French oak barriques (approx. 2-5 years old) for approx.12-14 months.
We do NOT use egg, milk or fish fining products. Some gelatin is used only on white wine juice pre-fermentation. The whole winemaking operation - from crush to bottling and storage - was handled by Torlesse Winery, less than 2km away from the vineyard.
2009 Vintage: Our first release, Waipara River Estate, 2009 Riesling was received with considerable acclaim and gold, silver and bronze awards. Garth Gallaway in Avenues magazine (August 2010) described it as 'stunning.' It and our award winning 2009 Pinot Noir have now SOLD OUT. We still have a limited amount of the excellent Waipara River Estate 2009 Cabernet/Merlot that was only produced in a small quantity. Order now before it has gone.
2010 Vintage: Our Single Vineyard Release Riesling, SVR Pinot Noir, Cabernet/Merlot and Late Harvest SVR Riesling have now been released. Having sold our Gewürztraminer to Pegasus Bay for several years, in 2010 we decided to make our own Gewürztraminer. This is due for release 2013.
Our 2011 Vintage: Our Single Vineyard Release Riesling will be released 2013.
Waipara River Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2009
Our Cabernet/ Merlot contains only estate grown grapes -- 25 year old Cabernet Sauvignon vines from our boutique vineyard, plus Merlot from the neighbouring Mackenzie Vineyard, all hand-picked in excellent condition. This artisan wine is hand-crafted, small vessel fermented, hand plunged and goes through the traditional basket press that adds to its complexity. After pressing, the wine is matured in French barriques (barrels) for over a year.
With classic fruit flavours this traditional full bodied Bordeaux style wine, 70% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 30% Merlot, focuses on balance and elegance, will develop classic cigar box bouquet over time. A screw top closure has been used to preserve fresh fruit flavours and allow the wine to age gracefully and reach its full potential with no bottle variation.
Could cellar for 5 -7 years or more. Alcohol content: 13.5%, 750ml.
Waipara River Estate SVR Riesling 2010
With grapes from one of the oldest vineyards in Waipara, this Riesling is slightly drier than the 2009 vintage. It shows ripe lime citrus flavours contrasted with fresh granny smith apple and hints of mineral characters.
Perfect for drinking now, but may cellar for up to 10 years.
Enjoy with chicken, pork or seafood dishes.
Released February 2012. Machine Harvested in late April 2010; Brix (sugars)- from 20 to 21
Bottle Details: Alcohol 12.5 % by volume; Acid 8.0 gm/L [as tartaric]; Residual Sugar 20gm/L
Waipara River Estate SVR Pinot Noir 2010
Only estate grown Pinot Noir from our boutique vineyard, hand-picked in excellent condition are hand-crafted then matured in French barriques (barrels) for over a year in our classic style Pinot Noir. Focusing on balance and elegance, yet full bodied, it has cherry and berry fruit flavours with a rich full middle palate showing hints of black forest cake and dark chocolate, finishing firm with a lingering after-taste. A stylish Pinot Noir that will evolve and become more complex with further cellaring. This wine has used the screw top closure to preserve fresh fruit flavours or allow the wine to age gracefully and reach its full potential with no bottle variation.
Released March 2012 Hand Harvested April 23 2010 at 24.2 brix. Alcohol content: 14.5%. Could cellar for 5 years or more.
Waipara River Estate SVR Late Harvest Riesling 2011
Handcrafted from our own estate grown grapes which were hand picked on May 23 2011, this late harvest riesling is a wonderful wine as an aperitif or with dessert and cheeses. It has a fine balance of aromatic fruit flavours and a cris finish. With residual sweetness.
Alcohol 13.0% Residual Sugar 100gm/l.
Available in 375ml bottles
