Winegrowing

Vineyard

TitleOur vineyard is located in a sheltered sunny valley on the upper terraces of the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. Predominantly planted with five clones of Pinot Noir, the vineyard also has small blocks of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Soil types are good quality loam on free-draining schist gravels and ‘pipeclay’ which was named for the white clay used to make tobacco pipes by the early gold miners.

The total planted area of the vineyard is 6.5 hectares. Pinot Noir comprises 4 hectares, and Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling 1 ¼ hectare each.

The continental climate in Central Otago provides a short, hot summer; long dry autumns and very cold winters, with snowfall common. Over the height of summer the temperature at the vineyard can fluctuate up to 25 deg C (77 deg F) between the afternoon peak and night-time low. The long, relatively warm autumn is ideal for gently ripening our grapes, concentrating flavours and preserving attractive, balanced acidity.

The viticulture at Domain Road is managed under a certified sustainable regime by James Dicey and his father Robin, in consultation with vineyard owner Graeme Crosbie. Robin and James have managed Domain Road Vineyard since it was planted in 2003.