Place.
Locations
Central Otago
What was once a place of rabbits and gold is now the area in which we grow and harness Pinot Noir in Central Otago. The long growing season and summer heat delivers beautiful flavours wrapped in bright pure red and dark fruit aromas. After time in bottle, the true spirit of Claim 431 Vineyard reveals itself.
Once a gold mining region, Bendigo is framed by ancient, dry hills and fanned by westerly winds. The soils have been formed from glaciers grinding up the schist rocks to smaller gravels and finer particles. These soils are rich in minerals, free draining and low in vigour so careful use of irrigation is required to maintain vine health. The climate is the most continental in New Zealand with cold winters (making great skiing in nearby Wanaka) and hot dry summers. Rainfall is low with average of 450mm's per annum and in peak summer temperatures can exceed 35 degrees Celsius, however the much cooler nights maintain acidity and vitality in the Pinot Noir we produce. Fruit from this vineyard is used to create Mud House Single Vineyard Claim 431 Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir and Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir.
Planted: 2006 | Soils: Free draining sandy loam over schist alluvium gravel known as Molyneux Soils. | Variety: Pinot Noir | Vineyard Size: 250ha | Elevation: 250m | Average Rainfall: 450ml
